The balm of the covenant applied to the bleeding wounds of afflicted saints First composed for the relief of a pious and worthy family, mourning over the deaths of their hopeful children; and now made publick for the support of all Christians, sorrowing on the same or any other account. To which is added, A sermon preached for the funeral of that excellent and religious gentleman John Upton of Lupton esq; by John Flavell, preacher of the gospel at Dartmouth in Devon.
         Flavel, John, 1630?-1691.
      
       
         
           1688
        
      
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             The balm of the covenant applied to the bleeding wounds of afflicted saints First composed for the relief of a pious and worthy family, mourning over the deaths of their hopeful children; and now made publick for the support of all Christians, sorrowing on the same or any other account. To which is added, A sermon preached for the funeral of that excellent and religious gentleman John Upton of Lupton esq; by John Flavell, preacher of the gospel at Dartmouth in Devon.
             Flavel, John, 1630?-1691.
          
           [16], 174
           
             printed for J. Harris, at the Harrow against the Church in the Poultrey,
             London :
             1688.
          
           
             With marginal notes.
             "A sermon preached for the funeral of that excellent and religious gentleman John Upton of Lupton, esq;" has a separate dated title page; pagination and register are continuous.
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         eng
      
       
         
           Upton, John, -- of Lupton -- Early works to 1800.
           Covenant theology -- Biblical teaching -- Early works to 1800.
           Funeral sermons -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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               THE
               Balm
               of
               the
               Covenant
               Applied
               to
               the
               BLEEDING
               WOUNDS
               OF
               Afflicted
               Saints
               .
            
             
               First
               Composed
               for
               the
               Relief
               of
               a
               Pious
               and
               Worthy
               Family
               ,
               Mourning
               over
               the
               Deaths
               of
               their
               Hopeful
               CHILDREN
               ;
               and
               now
               made
               Publick
               for
               the
               Support
               of
               all
               Christians
               ,
               Sorrowing
               on
               the
               same
               or
               any
               other
               Account
               .
            
             
               To
               which
               is
               added
               ,
               A
               Sermon
               Preached
               for
               the
               Funeral
               OF
               THAT
               Excellent
               and
               Religious
               Gentleman
               
                 Iohn
                 Vpton
              
               of
               Lupton
               
                 Esq
              
            
             
               By
               
                 IOHN
                 FLAVELL
              
               ,
               Preacher
               of
               the
               Gospel
               at
               Dartmouth
               in
               Devon.
               
            
             
               London
               :
               Printed
               for
               
                 I.
                 Harris
              
               ,
               at
               the
               Harrow
               against
               the
               Church
               in
               the
               Poultrey
               .
               1688.
               
            
          
           
             
             
             
               To
               the
               Vertuous
               And
               much
               Honoured
               MADAM
               VRSVLA
               VPTON
               OF
               Lupton
               in
               Devon.
               
            
             
               
                 MADAM
                 ,
              
            
             
               IF
               I
               find
               it
               an
               hard
               Task
               to
               write
               on
               such
               a
               doleful
               Subject
               ,
               it
               cannot
               be
               imagined
               but
               your
               part
               must
               be
               abundantly
               harder
               ,
               
               who
               feel
               over
               and
               over
               what
               is
               here
               written
               .
               Could
               I
               tell
               how
               to
               administer
               Counsels
               and
               Comforts
               to
               you
               ,
               without
               exasperating
               your
               Sorrows
               ,
               I
               would
               certainly
               take
               that
               way
               ;
               but
               seeing
               the
               one
               (
               in
               this
               case
               )
               cannot
               be
               done
               without
               the
               other
               ,
               't
               is
               our
               Duty
               to
               submit
               to
               the
               method
               Providence
               hath
               prescribed
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               The
               design
               of
               the
               ensuing
               Discourse
               ,
               is
               to
               evince
               the
               truth
               of
               what
               seems
               a
               very
               great
               Paradox
               to
               most
               men
               ,
               namely
               ,
               that
               the
               Afflictions
               of
               the
               Saints
               can
               do
               them
               no
               hurt
               ,
               
               and
               that
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               Men
               and
               Angels
               cannot
               lay
               one
               circumstance
               of
               their
               condition
               (
               how
               uneasie
               soever
               it
               seems
               to
               be
               )
               better
               ,
               or
               more
               to
               their
               advantage
               than
               God
               hath
               laid
               it
               .
               I
               attempt
               not
               by
               a
               flourish
               of
               Rhetorick
               to
               perswade
               you
               against
               the
               Demonstrations
               you
               can
               fetch
               from
               Sense
               and
               Feeling
               to
               the
               contrary
               ,
               but
               to
               overthrow
               the
               false
               Reasonings
               of
               Flesh
               and
               Sense
               ,
               by
               the
               allowed
               Rules
               of
               Scripture
               and
               sure
               Principles
               of
               Religion
               .
            
             
               And
               methinks
               you
               ,
               and
               every
               Christian
               ,
               should
               
               gladly
               entertain
               that
               comfortable
               conclusion
               ,
               when
               you
               shall
               find
               the
               foundation
               of
               it
               as
               strong
               ,
               as
               the
               influences
               thereof
               are
               sweet
               and
               comfortable
               .
            
             
               Certainly
               ,
               Madam
               ,
               the
               intent
               of
               the
               Redeemer's
               undertaking
               was
               not
               to
               purchase
               for
               his
               People
               Riches
               ,
               Ease
               ,
               and
               Pleasures
               on
               Earth
               ;
               but
               to
               mortifie
               their
               Lusts
               ,
               heal
               their
               Natures
               ,
               and
               spiritualize
               their
               Affections
               ,
               and
               thereby
               to
               fit
               them
               for
               the
               eternal
               fruition
               of
               God.
               Upon
               this
               supposition
               the
               truth
               of
               this
               conclusion
               (
               how
               strange
               soever
               it
               seems
               )
               is
               firmly
               built
               .
            
             
             
               It
               was
               not
               without
               divine
               direction
               ,
               that
               the
               subject
               of
               the
               ensuing
               Discourse
               was
               as
               pertinently
               ,
               as
               seasonably
               ,
               recommended
               to
               me
               by
               your
               dear
               Husband
               ,
               in
               the
               day
               of
               your
               sorrows
               for
               your
               only
               Son.
               He
               took
               ,
               I
               hope
               ,
               his
               Portion
               of
               Comfort
               out
               of
               it
               before
               he
               died
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               now
               left
               as
               a
               Spring
               of
               Comfort
               to
               you
               ,
               who
               then
               mourned
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               now
               for
               him
               .
            
             
               Heavy
               Pressures
               call
               for
               strong
               Support
               ,
               and
               fainting
               Seasons
               for
               rich
               Cordials
               .
               Your
               Burden
               is
               indeed
               heavy
               ,
               yet
               I
               must
               say
               
               't
               is
               much
               our
               own
               fault
               they
               are
               so
               heavy
               as
               we
               feel
               them
               to
               be
               :
               for
               according
               to
               the
               measure
               of
               our
               delight
               in
               ,
               and
               expectation
               from
               the
               Creature
               ,
               is
               our
               sorrow
               &
               disappointment
               when
               we
               part
               from
               it
               .
               The
               highest
               Tydes
               are
               always
               followed
               with
               the
               lowest
               Ebbs.
               We
               find
               Temperance
               and
               Patience
               knit
               together
               in
               the
               same
               Precept
               ,
               and
               Intemperance
               and
               Impatience
               as
               inseparably
               connected
               in
               our
               own
               Experience
               .
               It
               may
               be
               we
               did
               not
               suspect
               our selves
               of
               any
               sinful
               excess
               in
               the
               time
               of
               their
               enjoyment
               ,
               but
               it
               
               now
               appears
               the
               Creature
               was
               gotten
               deeper
               into
               our
               hearts
               than
               we
               imagined
               by
               the
               pain
               we
               feel
               at
               parting
               :
               Did
               we
               not
               lean
               too
               hard
               upon
               it
               ,
               there
               would
               not
               be
               such
               shakings
               as
               we
               feel
               when
               it
               is
               slipt
               from
               us
               .
            
             
               But
               ,
               Madam
               ,
               't
               is
               high
               time
               to
               recal
               your
               thoughts
               and
               bound
               your
               sorrows
               ,
               which
               the
               following
               Considerations
               would
               greatly
               assist
               you
               in
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 very
                 ground
                 and
                 reason
                 of
                 our
                 excessive
                 sorrows
                 for
                 the
                 ●oss
                 of
                 earthly
                 Comforts
                 ?
                 ●s
                 it
                 not
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 
                 perishing
                 and
                 transitory
                 ?
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 find
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 God
                 made
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 can
                 you
                 expect
                 that
                 God
                 should
                 alter
                 the
                 Laws
                 of
                 Nature
                 to
                 please
                 and
                 humour
                 us
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 as
                 natural
                 to
                 our
                 Relations
                 to
                 die
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 Flowers
                 to
                 wither
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Moon
                 to
                 wane
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 such
                 necessary
                 connection
                 betwixt
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 comfort
                 ,
                 that
                 whenever
                 God
                 removes
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 he
                 must
                 needs
                 remove
                 the
                 other
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 Christ
                 and
                 Comfort
                 are
                 indeed
                 so
                 united
                 ,
                 but
                 nothing
                 beside
                 him
                 is
                 or
                 can
                 be
                 so
                 .
                 I
                 
                 hope
                 you
                 will
                 shortly
                 experience
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 this
                 Conclusion
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Comforts
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 absence
                 of
                 those
                 Comforts
                 you
                 have
                 lost
                 .
                 Can
                 you
                 not
                 now
                 have
                 as
                 free
                 access
                 to
                 God
                 as
                 before
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 these
                 very
                 Afflictions
                 send
                 you
                 oftener
                 into
                 his
                 presence
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 God
                 meet
                 you
                 in
                 those
                 duties
                 (
                 as
                 in
                 days
                 of
                 distress
                 he
                 uses
                 to
                 meet
                 his
                 People
                 )
                 then
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 evident
                 to
                 you
                 that
                 your
                 Joy
                 and
                 Comfort
                 lives
                 ,
                 though
                 your
                 Husband
                 and
                 Children
                 be
                 laid
                 in
                 their
                 Graves
                 .
              
               
                 
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 the
                 removin●
                 of
                 your
                 earthly
                 Comforts
                 hinders
                 not
                 but
                 that
                 yo●
                 may
                 still
                 pursue
                 the
                 grea●
                 end
                 and
                 business
                 of
                 you●
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 carry
                 on
                 all
                 you●
                 designs
                 for
                 Heaven
                 as
                 successfully
                 as
                 ever
                 .
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 Madam
                 ,
                 had
                 we
                 been
                 sent
                 into
                 this
                 World
                 to
                 raise
                 Estates
                 ,
                 contract
                 Relations
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 sit
                 down
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Portion
                 ,
                 then
                 our
                 design
                 had
                 been
                 utterly
                 dasht
                 and
                 disappointed
                 ;
                 but
                 you
                 know
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 your
                 main
                 end
                 ,
                 or
                 great
                 business
                 upon
                 Earth
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 honour
                 God
                 by
                 an
                 holy
                 fruitful
                 
                 life
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 ●eady
                 for
                 the
                 full
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 hereafter
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 hinders
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 ●ay
                 as
                 prosperously
                 ma●age
                 and
                 carry
                 on
                 this
                 ●our
                 design
                 as
                 ever
                 ?
                 You
                 ●o
                 not
                 think
                 the
                 Travel●er
                 is
                 disabled
                 for
                 his
                 Jour●ey
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 few●r
                 clogs
                 and
                 hindrances
                 ●●an
                 before
                 .
                 I
                 think
                 few
                 Christians
                 find
                 much
                 fur●●erance
                 Heavenward
                 by
                 ●●eir
                 multiplicity
                 of
                 En●agements
                 or
                 Enjoyments
                 〈◊〉
                 this
                 World.
                 Your
                 ●●res
                 and
                 fears
                 about
                 these
                 ●●ings
                 ,
                 will
                 now
                 lie
                 in
                 a
                 ●arrower
                 compass
                 than
                 
                 they
                 did
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 by
                 you
                 may
                 have
                 yo●
                 thoughts
                 more
                 about
                 yo●
                 to
                 attend
                 the
                 great
                 co●●cerns
                 of
                 Gods
                 glory
                 an●
                 your
                 own
                 salvation
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 But
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 yo●
                 will
                 certainly
                 find
                 yo●
                 relief
                 and
                 consolation
                 〈◊〉
                 lie
                 in
                 the
                 everlasting
                 C●●venant
                 of
                 God.
                 Then●
                 it
                 was
                 that
                 David
                 fetc●
                 his
                 support
                 under
                 a
                 mu●●
                 heavier
                 Burden
                 adn
                 sma●●ter
                 Rod
                 than
                 yours
                 :
                 f●●
                 your
                 Relations
                 were
                 su●●
                 as
                 gave
                 you
                 comfort
                 their
                 lives
                 ,
                 and
                 left
                 y●●
                 many
                 grounds
                 of
                 hope
                 their
                 deaths
                 ;
                 but
                 his
                 we●
                 
                 taken
                 away
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 .
                 But
                 though
                 the
                 grounds
                 of
                 his
                 sorrow
                 (
                 blessed
                 be
                 God
                 )
                 are
                 not
                 yours
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 hope
                 the
                 grounds
                 of
                 his
                 comfort
                 in
                 the
                 Text
                 are
                 fully
                 yours
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               confess
               I
               have
               prepared
               these
               things
               in
               too
               much
               hast
               ,
               and
               distraction
               of
               thoughts
               ,
               which
               in
               this
               juncture
               was
               unavoidable
               ;
               nor
               have
               I
               bestowed
               much
               of
               Art
               or
               Language
               upon
               them
               :
               and
               if
               I
               had
               ,
               they
               would
               have
               been
               never
               the
               more
               effectual
               to
               your
               relief
               for
               that
               .
               But
               such
               as
               they
               are
               ,
               I
               humbly
               present
               them
               to
               you
               ,
               with
               
               my
               hearty
               Prayers
               ,
               That
               God
               would
               make
               them
               a
               
                 Soveraign
                 Balm
              
               ,
               by
               the
               blessing
               of
               his
               Spirit
               on
               them
               to
               your
               wounded
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               to
               all
               other
               godly
               Families
               groaning
               under
               the
               like
               Stroaks
               of
               God
               with
               you
               ,
               and
               remain
               ,
            
             
               
                 MADAM
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   Tour
                   most
                   faithful
                   Sympathizing
                   Friend
                   and
                   Servant
                   ,
                
                 Jo.
                 Flavell
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               THE
               Balm
               of
               the
               Covenant
               Applied
               to
               the
               BLEEDING
               WOUNDS
               OF
               Afflicted
               Saints
               .
            
             
               TEXT
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     2
                     Sam.
                     23.
                     v.
                     5.
                  
                   
                
                 
                   Although
                   my
                   house
                   be
                   not
                   so
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   yet
                   hath
                   he
                   made
                   with
                   me
                   an
                   everlasting
                   Covenant
                   ;
                   ordered
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   sure
                   :
                   for
                   this
                   is
                   all
                   my
                   salvation
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   my
                   desire
                   ,
                   although
                   he
                   make
                   it
                   not
                   to
                   grow
                   .
                
              
            
             
               THese
               are
               part
               of
               
               David's
               last
               words
               .
               The
               last
               words
               of
               dying
               Saints
               ,
               but
               especially
               of
               dying
               Prophets
               ,
               are
               ponderous
               ,
               
               memorable
               ,
               and
               extraordinarily
               remarkable
               ;
               and
               such
               are
               these
               acknowledged
               to
               be
               ,
               by
               all
               Expositors
               :
               't
               is
               a
               golden
               Sentence
               ,
               a
               divine
               Oracle
               ,
               fit
               to
               be
               the
               last
               words
               of
               every
               dying
               Saint
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               of
               David
               .
            
             
               They
               are
               called
               his
               
                 last
                 words
              
               ,
               not
               simply
               ,
               and
               absolutely
               ,
               as
               though
               he
               breathed
               them
               forth
               with
               his
               last
               breath
               ;
               (
               for
               he
               spake
               many
               things
               afterwards
               )
               but
               either
               they
               are
               the
               last
               he
               spake
               as
               a
               Prophet
               ,
               by
               divine
               inspiration
               ,
               or
               because
               he
               had
               them
               often
               in
               his
               mouth
               ,
               to
               his
               last
               and
               dying
               day
               .
               They
               were
               his
               Epicedium
               ,
               his
               sweet
               Swan
               like
               Song
               ,
               in
               which
               his
               Soul
               found
               singular
               Refreshment
               ,
               and
               strong
               Support
               ,
               amidst
               the
               manifold
               A●●●ictions
               of
               his
               Life
               ,
               and
               against
               the
               Fears
               of
               his
               approaching
               Death
               .
            
             
               The
               whole
               Chapter
               is
               designed
               for
               a
               Coronis
               or
               honourable
               Close
               of
               the
               Life
               of
               David
               ,
               and
               gives
               us
               an
               account
               both
               of
               the
               worthy
               Expressions
               that
               dropt
               from
               him
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               renowned
               
               Worthies
               that
               were
               employed
               by
               him
               :
               but
               all
               the
               heroick
               Atchievements
               recorded
               to
               the
               honour
               of
               their
               Memories
               ,
               in
               the
               following
               part
               of
               the
               Chapter
               ,
               are
               trivial
               and
               inglorious
               things
               ,
               compared
               with
               this
               one
               divine
               Sentence
               recorded
               in
               my
               Text
               ;
               in
               which
               we
               have
               two
               things
               to
               consider
               ,
               viz.
               
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   The
                   Preface
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   exceeding
                   solemn
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   The
                   Speech
                   it self
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   exceeding
                   weighty
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               In
               the
               Preface
               ,
               we
               have
               both
               the
               instrumental
               and
               principal
               efficient
               Cause
               of
               this
               divine
               Sentence
               ,
               distinctly
               set
               down
               ,
               ver
               .
               1.
               and
               the
               Efficient
               ,
               or
               Author
               of
               it
               ,
               v.
               2.
               
            
             
               The
               Instrument
               or
               Organ
               of
               its
               conveyance
               to
               us
               ,
               was
               David
               ;
               described
               by
               his
               Descent
               or
               Lineage
               ,
               
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 Iesse
              
               ;
               by
               his
               eminent
               Station
               ,
               
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 was
                 raised
                 up
                 on
                 high
                 ,
              
               even
               to
               the
               top
               and
               culminating
               point
               of
               Civil
               and
               
               Spiritual
               Dignity
               and
               Honour
               ,
               both
               as
               a
               King
               ,
               and
               as
               a
               Prophet
               ;
               by
               his
               
                 Divine
                 Unction
                 ,
                 The
                 anointed
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Iacob
              
               ;
               and
               lastly
               ,
               by
               the
               flowing
               sweetness
               of
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               stile
               in
               the
               divine
               Psalms
               that
               were
               penned
               by
               him
               ,
               whence
               he
               here
               gets
               the
               Title
               of
               
                 The
                 sweet
                 Psalmist
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 the
                 pleasant
                 one
                 in
                 the
                 Psalms
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
              
               as
               some
               read
               it
               .
            
             
               The
               
                 principal
                 efficient
                 Cause
              
               of
               this
               excellent
               passage
               ,
               is
               here
               likewise
               noted
               ,
               and
               all
               to
               commend
               it
               the
               more
               to
               our
               special
               observation
               and
               acceptance
               :
               
               
                 The
                 spirit
                 of
                 God
                 spake
                 by
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 word
                 was
                 in
                 my
                 tongue
                 .
              
               This
               stamps
               my
               Text
               expresly
               with
               divine
               Authority
               .
               The
               Spirit
               of
               God
               spake
               by
               David
               ;
               he
               was
               not
               the
               Author
               ,
               but
               only
               the
               Scribe
               of
               it
               .
               Thus
               the
               ensuing
               Discourse
               is
               prefaced
               .
               Let
               us
               next
               see
               ,
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Matter
               or
               Speech
               it self
               ,
               wherein
               we
               shall
               find
               the
               Maxims
               ,
               and
               general
               Rules
               of
               Government
               prescribed
               ,
               and
               the
               Felicity
               of
               such
               a
               Government
               elegantly
               
               described
               .
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 ruleth
                 over
                 men
                 must
                 be
                 just
                 ,
                 ruling
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God.
              
               Princes
               being
               in
               Gods
               place
               ,
               must
               exalt
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               God
               ,
               in
               the
               government
               of
               men
               ;
               and
               when
               they
               do
               so
               ,
               they
               shall
               be
               as
               the
               Light
               of
               the
               Morning
               when
               the
               Sun
               riseth
               ,
               even
               a
               morning
               without
               Clouds
               ,
               &c.
               
               What
               Halycon
               days
               shall
               that
               happy
               People
               see
               ,
               whose
               Lot
               is
               cast
               into
               such
               times
               and
               places
               !
               All
               this
               is
               typically
               spoken
               of
               David
               ,
               and
               those
               pious
               Princes
               who
               succeeded
               him
               ;
               but
               mystically
               and
               eminently
               points
               at
               Christ
               ,
               who
               was
               to
               rise
               out
               of
               
               David's
               Seed
               ,
               Rom.
               1.3
               .
               and
               to
               sit
               upon
               his
               Throne
               ,
               Acts
               2.30
               .
               So
               that
               in
               this
               he
               was
               raised
               on
               high
               ,
               to
               an
               Eminency
               of
               Glory
               and
               Dignity
               indeed
               ;
               He
               was
               so
               in
               his
               ordinary
               natural
               Seed
               ;
               a
               Royal
               Race
               ,
               deriving
               it self
               from
               him
               ,
               and
               sitting
               upon
               his
               Throne
               in
               a
               Lineal
               Succession
               ,
               till
               the
               Babylonish
               Captivity
               ,
               which
               was
               about
               four
               hundred
               and
               thirty
               years
               .
               And
               after
               that
               ,
               the
               Iews
               had
               Governours
               
               of
               his
               Line
               ,
               at
               least
               rightful
               Heirs
               to
               that
               Crown
               ,
               till
               the
               promised
               Messiah
               came
               .
               But
               that
               which
               was
               the
               top
               of
               
               David's
               Honour
               ,
               the
               most
               sparkling
               Jewel
               in
               his
               Crown
               ,
               was
               this
               ,
               that
               the
               
                 Lord
                 Iesus
              
               was
               to
               descend
               from
               him
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               in
               whom
               all
               the
               glorious
               Characters
               ,
               before
               given
               ,
               should
               not
               only
               be
               exactly
               answered
               ,
               but
               abudantly
               exceeded
               .
               And
               thus
               you
               find
               the
               natural
               Line
               of
               the
               Messiah
               is
               drawn
               down
               by
               Matthew
               ,
               from
               David
               to
               the
               Virgin
               
                 Mary
                 ,
                 Matth.
              
               1.
               and
               his
               Legal
               Line
               by
               Luke
               ,
               from
               David
               to
               Ioseph
               ,
               his
               supposed
               Father
               ,
               Luke
               3.23
               .
            
             
               Now
               though
               the
               illustrious
               Marks
               and
               Characters
               of
               such
               a
               righteous
               ,
               serene
               ,
               and
               happy
               Government
               ,
               did
               not
               fully
               agree
               to
               his
               day
               ,
               nor
               would
               do
               so
               in
               the
               Reigns
               of
               his
               ordinary
               natural
               Successors
               ,
               his
               day
               was
               not
               without
               many
               Clouds
               both
               of
               Sin
               and
               Trouble
               ;
               yet
               such
               a
               blessed
               day
               he
               foresaw
               and
               rejoyced
               in
               ,
               when
               Christ
               ,
               the
               extraordinary
               Seed
               of
               
               David
               ,
               should
               arise
               and
               set
               up
               his
               Kingdom
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               with
               the
               expectation
               hereof
               ,
               he
               greatly
               chears
               and
               encourages
               himself
               :
               
                 Although
                 my
                 house
                 be
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 yet
                 hath
                 be
                 made
                 with
                 me
                 an
                 everlasting
                 Covenant
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               In
               which
               words
               four
               things
               are
               eminendy
               remarkable
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Here
                 is
                 a
                 sad
                 Concession
                 of
                 Domestick
                 Evils
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 A
                 singular
                 Relief
                 from
                 Gods
                 Covenant
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 glorious
                 Properties
                 of
                 this
                 Covenant
                 display'd
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 high
                 esteem
                 and
                 dear
                 regard
                 his
                 house
                 had
                 unto
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               Here
               is
               
               David's
               sad
               and
               mournful
               Concession
               of
               the
               Evils
               of
               his
               House
               ,
               both
               Moral
               ,
               and
               
                 Penal
                 .
                 Although
                 my
                 house
                 be
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 God
                 ,
              
               (
               i.
               e.
               )
               neither
               so
               holy
               ,
               nor
               so
               happy
               ,
               as
               this
               description
               of
               a
               righteous
               and
               flourishing
               Government
               imports
               ;
               alas
               ,
               it
               answers
               not
               to
               it
               :
               for
               though
               he
               was
               
               eminent
               for
               Godliness
               himself
               ,
               and
               had
               solemnly
               dedicated
               his
               House
               to
               God
               ,
               
               as
               soon
               as
               it
               was
               built
               ,
               yea
               ,
               though
               he
               piously
               resolved
               to
               walk
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               it
               with
               a
               perfect
               heart
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               suffer
               an
               immoral
               person
               within
               his
               Walls
               ;
               yet
               great
               miscarriages
               were
               found
               even
               in
               
               David's
               House
               ,
               
               and
               Person
               ,
               which
               God
               chastized
               him
               for
               ,
               by
               a
               thick
               succession
               of
               sharp
               and
               sore
               Afflictions
               .
               Tamar
               was
               defiled
               by
               her
               Brother
               Amnon
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               13.23
               .
               Amnon
               was
               barbarously
               murthered
               thereupon
               ,
               by
               the
               advice
               of
               Absalom
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               13.28
               .
               Absalom
               unnaturally
               rebels
               against
               his
               Father
               David
               ,
               and
               drives
               him
               out
               of
               the
               Royal
               City
               ,
               and
               perishes
               in
               that
               Rebellion
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               15.1
               .
               Then
               Adonijah
               ,
               another
               Darling-Son
               ,
               grasps
               at
               the
               Crown
               setled
               by
               David
               upon
               Salomon
               ,
               and
               perishes
               for
               that
               his
               Usurpation
               ,
               1
               King.
               2.25
               .
               O
               what
               an
               heap
               of
               Mischiefs
               and
               Calamities
               did
               this
               good
               man
               live
               to
               see
               within
               his
               own
               Walls
               !
               besides
               the
               many
               forreign
               Troubles
               
               that
               came
               from
               other
               hands
               .
               How
               many
               flourishing
               Branches
               did
               God
               ●op
               off
               from
               him
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               their
               sins
               too
               ?
               so
               that
               his
               day
               was
               a
               day
               of
               Clouds
               ,
               even
               from
               the
               morning
               unto
               the
               evening
               of
               it
               ;
               Psal.
               132.1
               .
               
                 Lord
                 ,
                 remember
                 David
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 afflictions
                 .
              
               Well
               might
               he
               say
               ,
               
                 His
                 house
                 was
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 God.
              
               But
               what
               then
               ,
               doth
               he
               faint
               and
               despond
               under
               these
               manifold
               Calamities
               ?
               Doth
               he
               refuse
               to
               be
               comforted
               ,
               because
               his
               Children
               are
               gone
               ,
               and
               all
               things
               involved
               in
               trouble
               ?
               No
               ,
               but
               you
               find
               ,
            
             
               2.
               
               He
               relieves
               himself
               by
               the
               Covenant
               God
               had
               made
               with
               him
               :
               
                 Yet
                 hath
                 he
                 made
                 with
                 me
                 a
                 Covenant
                 .
              
               
               He
               looks
               to
               Christ
               ,
               there
               is
               more
               in
               the
               Covenant
               than
               this
               my
               House
               before
               God
               ,
               as
               the
               Chaldee
               turns
               it
               .
               This
               little
               word
               yet
               ,
               wraps
               up
               a
               great
               and
               soveraign
               Cordial
               in
               it
               .
               Though
               
                 Amnon
                 ,
                 Absalom
              
               ,
               and
               Adonijah
               be
               gone
               ,
               and
               gone
               with
               many
               smarting
               aggravations
               too
               ;
               
                 yet
                 hath
                 he
                 made
                 with
                 me
                 a
                 Covenant
                 ,
              
               yet
               I
               
               have
               this
               Sheet-Anchor
               left
               to
               secure
               me
               .
               Gods
               Covenant
               with
               me
               ,
               in
               relation
               to
               Christ
               ,
               this
               under-props
               and
               shores
               up
               my
               heart
               .
            
             
               This
               Covenant
               was
               ,
               without
               controversie
               ,
               a
               Gospel-Covenant
               .
               It
               was
               
               David's
               Gospel
               :
               for
               all
               his
               salvation
               and
               all
               his
               desire
               were
               in
               it
               ;
               which
               could
               never
               be
               ,
               except
               Christ
               had
               been
               in
               it
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               salvation
               of
               all
               the
               ends
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               and
               the
               desire
               of
               all
               Nations
               .
            
             
               'T
               is
               true
               ,
               it
               was
               a
               more
               obscure
               and
               imperfect
               Edition
               of
               the
               
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Faith
              
               ,
               yet
               clearer
               than
               those
               that
               were
               made
               before
               it
               ;
               it
               came
               not
               up
               to
               the
               fulness
               and
               clearness
               of
               the
               discoveries
               made
               by
               Ieremy
               and
               Ezekiel
               :
               but
               yet
               in
               this
               Covenant
               with
               David
               ,
               God
               revealed
               more
               of
               Christ
               ,
               than
               had
               been
               ever
               revealed
               before
               ;
               for
               the
               Light
               of
               Christ
               ,
               like
               that
               of
               the
               Morning
               ,
               increased
               still
               more
               and
               more
               ,
               till
               it
               came
               to
               a
               perfect
               day
               .
               It
               is
               worthy
               our
               observation
               ,
               how
               
               God
               made
               a
               gradual
               discovery
               of
               Christ
               ,
               from
               Adam
               ,
               down
               along
               to
               New
               Testament-times
               .
               It
               was
               reveal'd
               to
               Adam
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               be
               the
               
                 Seed
                 of
                 the
                 Woman
              
               ,
               but
               not
               of
               what
               Nation
               ,
               till
               
               Abraham's
               time
               ;
               nor
               of
               what
               Tribe
               ,
               till
               Iacob
               ;
               nor
               of
               what
               Sex
               and
               Family
               ,
               till
               David
               ;
               nor
               that
               he
               should
               be
               born
               of
               a
               Virgin
               ,
               till
               Isaiah
               ;
               nor
               in
               what
               Town
               ,
               till
               Micah
               .
               The
               first
               Revelation
               of
               this
               Covenant
               with
               David
               ,
               
               was
               by
               Nathan
               the
               Prophet
               ;
               afterwards
               enlarged
               and
               confirmed
               ,
               Psal.
               89.
               
               By
               it
               he
               knew
               much
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               wrote
               much
               of
               him
               .
               He
               spake
               of
               his
               
                 Person
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               45.6.11
               .
               Psal.
               8.4
               ,
               5
               ,
               6.
               of
               his
               Offices
               ,
               both
               
                 Prophetical
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               40.8
               ,
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               
                 Priestly
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               110.4
               .
               and
               
                 Kingly
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               2.6
               .
               of
               his
               Incarnation
               ,
               Psal.
               8.5
               .
               of
               his
               Death
               on
               the
               Cross
               ,
               Psal.
               22.16
               ,
               17.
               of
               his
               Burial
               ,
               Psal.
               16.8
               ,
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               Resurrection
               ,
               Psal.
               2.7
               .
               and
               triumphant
               Ascension
               ,
               Psal.
               68.18
               .
               there
               was
               sum
               of
               the
               Gospel
               discovered
               ,
               though
               in
               dark
               and
               typical
               terms
               and
               forms
               of
               
               Expression
               ;
               but
               if
               out
               of
               this
               Covenant
               ,
               as
               obscure
               as
               its
               Revelation
               was
               ,
               David
               fetcht
               such
               strong
               Support
               and
               Consolation
               ,
               amidst
               such
               an
               heap
               of
               Troubles
               ,
               then
               the
               Argument
               is
               good
               ,
               
                 à
                 fortiori
              
               :
               What
               Support
               and
               Comfort
               may
               not
               we
               draw
               thence
               ,
               who
               live
               under
               the
               most
               full
               and
               perfect
               display
               of
               it
               ,
               in
               all
               its
               Riches
               and
               Glory
               ?
               Enough
               hath
               been
               said
               to
               prove
               it
               a
               Gospel-Covenant
               ;
               but
               if
               any
               doubt
               should
               remain
               of
               that
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               fully
               removed
               ,
               by
               considering
               ,
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               eximious
               Properties
               and
               Characters
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               as
               we
               find
               them
               placed
               in
               the
               Text
               ;
               and
               they
               are
               three
               ,
               viz.
               
               
                 
                   (
                   1.
                   )
                   Everlasting
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   2.
                   )
                   Ordered
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                
                 
                   (
                   3.
                   )
                   Sure.
                   
                
              
            
             
               
               (
               1.
               )
               It
               is
               an
               
                 Everlasting
                 Covenant
              
               ,
               or
               a
               perpetual
               Covenant
               ,
               a
               Covenant
               of
               Eternity
               ;
               not
               in
               the
               most
               ●trict
               ,
               proper
               ,
               and
               absolute
               sence
               :
               for
               that
               is
               the
               incommunicable
               
               property
               of
               God
               himself
               ,
               who
               neither
               hath
               beginning
               ,
               nor
               end
               ;
               but
               the
               meaning
               is
               ,
               that
               the
               Benefits
               and
               Mercies
               of
               the
               Covenant
               are
               durable
               and
               endless
               to
               the
               People
               of
               God
               :
               for
               Christ
               being
               the
               principal
               Matter
               and
               Substance
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               there
               must
               be
               in
               it
               everlasting
               Righteousness
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               called
               ,
               Dan.
               9.24
               .
               everlasting
               Kindness
               ,
               Isai.
               54.8
               .
               everlasting
               Forgiveness
               ,
               Ier.
               31.34
               .
               and
               in
               consequence
               to
               all
               these
               ,
               everlasting
               Consolation
               ,
               Isai.
               51.11
               .
               In
               all
               which
               ,
               the
               riches
               and
               bounty
               of
               Free
               Grace
               shine
               forth
               in
               their
               greatest
               glory
               and
               splendor
               .
            
             
               (
               2.
               )
               It
               is
               a
               Covenant
               
                 order'd
                 in
                 all
                 things
              
               ,
               
               or
               orderly
               prepared
               ,
               disposed
               ,
               and
               set
               ,
               as
               the
               word
               imports
               .
               Every
               thing
               being
               here
               disposed
               and
               placed
               in
               the
               most
               comely
               order
               ,
               both
               persons
               and
               things
               here
               keep
               their
               proper
               place
               :
               God
               the
               Father
               keeps
               the
               place
               of
               the
               most
               wise
               Contriver
               and
               bountiful
               Donor
               of
               the
               invaluable
               Mercies
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ;
               
               and
               Christ
               keeps
               the
               proper
               place
               both
               of
               the
               Purchaser
               and
               Surety
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Mercies
               in
               it
               ;
               and
               Believers
               keep
               their
               place
               ,
               as
               the
               unworthy
               Receivers
               of
               all
               the
               gratuitous
               Mercies
               and
               rich
               Benefits
               thereof
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               obliged
               Creatures
               in
               all
               the
               World
               to
               Free
               Grace
               ,
               saying
               ,
               Although
               my
               house
               ,
               yea
               ,
               although
               my
               heart
               and
               my
               life
               be
               not
               so
               with
               God
               ,
               yet
               hath
               he
               made
               with
               me
               an
               everlasting
               Covenant
               .
               And
               as
               Persons
               ,
               so
               Things
               ,
               all
               things
               in
               this
               Covenant
               stand
               in
               the
               most
               exquisite
               order
               ,
               and
               exact
               correspondence
               to
               each
               other
               .
               O
               't
               is
               a
               ravishing
               sight
               to
               behold
               the
               habitude
               and
               respect
               of
               the
               Mercies
               in
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               to
               the
               sins
               and
               wants
               of
               all
               that
               are
               in
               it
               !
               Here
               are
               found
               full
               and
               suitable
               supplies
               to
               the
               wants
               of
               all
               Gods
               People
               .
               Here
               you
               may
               see
               Pardon
               in
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               for
               guilt
               in
               the
               Soul
               ;
               Ioy
               in
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               for
               sorrow
               in
               the
               
                 Heart
                 ;
                 Strength
              
               in
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               for
               all
               defects
               and
               weaknesses
               in
               the
               Creature
               ;
               Stability
               
               in
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               for
               mutability
               in
               the
               Creature
               .
               Never
               did
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               God
               shine
               forth
               more
               in
               any
               contrivance
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               (
               except
               that
               of
               Christ
               ,
               the
               Surety
               and
               principal
               Matter
               of
               the
               Covenant
               )
               than
               it
               doth
               in
               the
               orderly
               dispose
               of
               all
               things
               in
               their
               beautiful
               order
               ,
               and
               comely
               proportions
               in
               this
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               .
            
             
               (
               3.
               )
               It
               is
               
                 a
                 sure
                 Covenant
              
               ,
               
               or
               a
               Covenant
               safely
               laid
               up
               and
               kept
               ,
               as
               the
               word
               imports
               ;
               and
               upon
               this
               account
               the
               Mercies
               of
               it
               are
               called
               ,
               
                 The
                 sure
                 mercies
                 of
                 David
                 ,
                 Isai.
              
               55.3
               .
               And
               so
               ,
               Psal.
               89.28
               .
               speaking
               of
               this
               very
               Covenant
               ,
               God
               saith
               ,
               
                 My
                 Covenant
                 shall
                 stand
                 fast
                 with
                 him
                 ,
              
               there
               shall
               be
               no
               vacillancy
               ,
               no
               shaking
               in
               this
               Covenant
               :
               and
               ver
               .
               34.
               
               
                 My
                 Covenant
                 will
                 I
                 not
                 break
                 ,
                 nor
                 alter
                 the
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 gone
                 out
                 of
                 my
                 lips
                 .
              
               Every
               thing
               is
               as
               its
               foundation
               is
               .
               Now
               ,
               Gods
               Covenant
               being
               founded
               in
               his
               unchangeable
               counsel
               and
               purpose
               ,
               wherein
               there
               can
               be
               no
               lubricity
               ,
               and
               Christ
               being
               
               the
               Surety
               of
               it
               ,
               it
               must
               needs
               b●
               as
               the
               Text
               calls
               it
               ,
               a
               sure
               Cov●●nant
               ,
               wherein
               the
               faithfulness
               o●
               God
               is
               as
               illustriously
               display'd
               ,
               ●
               his
               Bounty
               and
               Wisdom
               are
               in
               th●
               two
               former
               properties
               of
               it
               .
               An●
               such
               a
               Covenant
               as
               this
               so
               eve●●lasting
               ,
               aptly
               disposed
               ,
               and
               sure
               must
               needs
               deserve
               that
               preciou●
               Respect
               and
               high
               Esteem
               from
               e●very
               believing
               soul
               ,
               which
               Davi●
               here
               doth
               pay
               it
               in
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               singular
               and
               high
               valua●tion
               he
               had
               of
               it
               ,
               when
               he
               saith
               
                 This
                 is
                 all
                 my
                 salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 my
                 desire
                 ,
              
               
               or
               as
               some
               translate
               ,
               
                 all
                 my
                 delight
              
               ,
               or
               pleasure
               ;
               
                 (
                 i.
                 e.
              
               )
               here
               I
               find
               all
               repaired
               with
               an
               infinite
               overplus
               ,
               that
               I
               have
               lost
               in
               the
               Creature
               :
               Here
               is
               life
               in
               death
               fulness
               in
               wants
               ,
               security
               in
               dan●gers
               ,
               peace
               in
               troubles
               .
               It
               is
               
                 al●
                 my
                 salvation
              
               ,
               for
               it
               leaves
               nothing
               in
               hazard
               that
               is
               essential
               to
               my
               happiness
               ;
               and
               
                 all
                 my
                 desire
              
               ,
               for
               i●
               repairs
               whatever
               I
               have
               lost
               ,
               or
               can
               lose
               :
               it
               is
               so
               full
               and
               compleat
               a
               Covenant
               ,
               that
               it
               leaves
               nothing
               to
               be
               desired
               out
               of
               it
               .
               O
               it
               is
               a
               
               full
               Fountain
               !
               Here
               I
               repose
               my
               weary
               soul
               with
               full
               satisfaction
               ,
               and
               feed
               my
               hungry
               desires
               with
               sweetest
               delights
               ;
               so
               that
               my
               very
               soul
               is
               at
               rest
               and
               ease
               ,
               in
               the
               bosome
               of
               this
               blessed
               Covenant
               .
               Thus
               you
               have
               the
               parts
               and
               sence
               of
               the
               Text.
               The
               Notes
               from
               it
               are
               three
               .
            
             
               
                 Observation
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 
                   That
                   Gods
                   Covenant
                   People
                   may
                   be
                   exercised
                   with
                   many
                   sharp
                   Afflictions
                   in
                   their
                   Persons
                   and
                   Families
                   .
                
              
               
                 Even
                 
                 David's
                 House
                 was
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 Mourning
                 .
                 
                   Although
                   my
                   house
                   be
                   not
                   so
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   though
                   he
                   make
                   it
                   not
                   to
                   grow
                   .
                
                 All
                 sorts
                 of
                 outward
                 Afflictions
                 are
                 incident
                 to
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 
                 
                   All
                   things
                
                 (
                 saith
                 Solomon
                 )
                 
                   come
                   alike
                   to
                   all
                   :
                   there
                   is
                   one
                   event
                   to
                   the
                   righteous
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   the
                   wicked
                   ;
                   to
                   the
                   clean
                   ,
                   and
                   unclean
                   ;
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   sacrificeth
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   sacrificeth
                   not
                   .
                
                 The
                 Providences
                 seem
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 
                 though
                 the
                 subjects
                 on
                 whom
                 the●
                 fall
                 be
                 vastly
                 different
                 .
                 Estate
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 Health
                 ,
                 and
                 Libe●ty
                 ,
                 will
                 still
                 be
                 like
                 themselv●●
                 vanishing
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 whoever
                 the
                 Owners
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 No
                 ma●●
                 spiritual
                 Estate
                 can
                 be
                 known
                 b●
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 his
                 temporal
                 Estat●●
                 A
                 godly
                 Family
                 cannot
                 be
                 a
                 mis●rable
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 mournful
                 F●mily
                 .
                 Religion
                 secures
                 us
                 fro●
                 the
                 Wrath
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 secur●
                 us
                 from
                 the
                 Rod
                 of
                 God.
                 Th●
                 Lord
                 hath
                 chosen
                 another
                 way
                 o●
                 expressing
                 his
                 love
                 to
                 his
                 peopl●
                 than
                 by
                 temporal
                 and
                 externa●
                 things
                 :
                 therefore
                 
                   all
                   things
                   come
                   alike
                   to
                   all
                   .
                
                 The
                 Covenant
                 exclude●
                 the
                 Curse
                 ,
                 but
                 includes
                 the
                 
                   Cros●●
                   If
                   his
                   children
                   forsake
                   my
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 &c
                 
                   then
                   will
                   I
                   visit
                   their
                   iniquity
                   with
                   the
                   rod
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   sin
                   with
                   stripes
                   nevertheless
                   my
                   loving
                   kindness
                   will
                   not
                   utterly
                   take
                   away
                   .
                
              
               
                 Nor
                 indeed
                 would
                 it
                 be
                 the
                 priviledge
                 of
                 Gods
                 Covenanted
                 People
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 exempt
                 from
                 the
                 Rod
                 ;
                 a
                 mark
                 of
                 Bastardy
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 mans
                 felicity
                 :
                 Heb.
                 12.8
                 .
                 to
                 
                 go
                 without
                 the
                 chastising
                 discipline
                 of
                 the
                 Rod
                 ,
                 were
                 to
                 go
                 without
                 ●he
                 needful
                 instructions
                 and
                 blessed
                 fruits
                 that
                 accompany
                 and
                 result
                 from
                 the
                 Rod
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 94.12
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 not
                 therefore
                 say
                 ,
                 as
                 those
                 ●rreligious
                 persons
                 did
                 in
                 Mal.
                 3.14
                 .
                 
                   It
                   is
                   in
                   vain
                   to
                   serve
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   what
                   profit
                   is
                   it
                   that
                   we
                   have
                   kept
                   his
                   ordinances
                   ,
                   and
                   walked
                   mournfully
                   before
                   him
                   ?
                
                 Surely
                 none
                 serve
                 him
                 
                   in
                   vain
                
                 ,
                 but
                 those
                 that
                 serve
                 him
                 vainly
                 .
                 Godliness
                 cannot
                 secure
                 you
                 from
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 can
                 and
                 will
                 secure
                 you
                 from
                 Hell
                 ,
                 and
                 sanctifie
                 your
                 Afflictions
                 to
                 help
                 you
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 stay
                 not
                 here
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Observation
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 
                   A
                   declining
                   Family
                   is
                   a
                   sore
                   stroke
                   from
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   to
                   be
                   acknowledged
                   ,
                   wherever
                   it
                   falls
                   .
                
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 growing
                 sorrow
                 to
                 David
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 House
                 did
                 not
                 grow
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 eyed
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 
                 God
                 in
                 it
                 :
                 
                   He
                   made
                   it
                   not
                   to
                   gro●
                
                 as
                 he
                 speaks
                 in
                 the
                 Text.
                 He
                 fe●
                 as
                 many
                 Deaths
                 as
                 he
                 had
                 de●
                 Children
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 God
                 that
                 buil●
                 and
                 destroys
                 Families
                 ;
                 he
                 enla●●geth
                 ,
                 and
                 straighteneth
                 them
                 ●●gain
                 .
                 A
                 Family
                 may
                 decline
                 tw●
                 ways
                 ,
                 viz.
                 either
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     By
                     the
                     Death
                     :
                     or
                     ,
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     By
                     the
                     Degeneracy
                     of
                     i●
                     Off-spring
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 By
                 their
                 Death
                 ,
                 when
                 Go●
                 lops
                 off
                 the
                 hopeful
                 springin●
                 Branches
                 thereof
                 ;
                 especially
                 th●
                 last
                 and
                 only
                 Prop
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 not
                 only
                 all
                 the
                 care
                 and
                 love
                 ,
                 bu●
                 all
                 the
                 hope
                 and
                 expectation
                 of
                 th●
                 Parents
                 is
                 contracted
                 and
                 boun●
                 up
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 
                   
                     
                     Omnis
                     in
                     Aseanio
                     stat
                     chari
                     cur●
                     parentis
                     .
                  
                
                 The
                 hearts
                 of
                 tender
                 Parents
                 are
                 usually
                 bound
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 an
                 onely
                 Son.
                 As
                 a
                 mans
                 Wife
                 is
                 but
                 himself
                 divided
                 ,
                 so
                 his
                 Children
                 
                 ●re
                 but
                 himself
                 multiplied
                 ;
                 and
                 ●hen
                 all
                 love
                 and
                 delight
                 ,
                 hope
                 ●nd
                 expectation
                 ,
                 is
                 reduced
                 to
                 one
                 ,
                 ●●e
                 affection
                 is
                 strong
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 ●akes
                 the
                 affliction
                 so
                 too
                 .
                 If
                 it
                 ●ere
                 not
                 an
                 unparallel'd
                 grief
                 a●ong
                 all
                 earthly
                 griefs
                 and
                 sor●ows
                 ,
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 would
                 ne●er
                 have
                 chosen
                 and
                 singled
                 it
                 out
                 ●om
                 among
                 all
                 other
                 sorrows
                 ,
                 to
                 ●lustrate
                 sorrow
                 for
                 sin
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 ●orrows
                 for
                 that
                 special
                 sin
                 of
                 ●iercing
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 doth
                 .
                 
                   They
                   ●all
                   look
                   upon
                   him
                   whom
                   they
                   have
                   ●ierced
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   shall
                   mourn
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                   as
                   ●●e
                   that
                   mourneth
                   for
                   an
                   onely
                   son
                   .
                
                 How
                 naked
                 are
                 those
                 Walls
                 ,
                 and
                 ●ow
                 unfurnished
                 is
                 that
                 House
                 ,
                 ●here
                 the
                 Children
                 (
                 its
                 best
                 Or●aments
                 )
                 are
                 taken
                 down
                 and
                 re●oved
                 by
                 Death
                 !
                 It
                 is
                 natural
                 to
                 ●ll
                 men
                 ,
                 to
                 desire
                 the
                 continuance
                 ●f
                 their
                 Names
                 and
                 Families
                 in
                 ●he
                 Earth
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 when
                 God
                 cuts
                 off
                 their
                 expectations
                 in
                 ●hat
                 kind
                 ,
                 they
                 look
                 upon
                 them●elves
                 as
                 dry
                 Trees
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 the
                 wi●hering
                 Stalks
                 in
                 the
                 Fields
                 ,
                 when
                 ●he
                 Flowers
                 are
                 fallen
                 off
                 and
                 blown
                 ●way
                 from
                 them
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 Or
                 which
                 is
                 yet
                 much
                 wo●●
                 a
                 Family
                 may
                 decline
                 by
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 generacy
                 of
                 its
                 Off-spring
                 .
                 Wh●
                 the
                 Piety
                 ,
                 Probity
                 ,
                 and
                 Vert●●
                 of
                 Ancestors
                 descend
                 not
                 wi●●
                 their
                 Lands
                 to
                 their
                 Posterit●
                 here
                 the
                 true
                 Line
                 of
                 Honou●
                 cut
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 a
                 Fam●●ly
                 dies
                 ,
                 though
                 its
                 Children
                 liv●●
                 the
                 Family
                 is
                 ruin'd
                 ,
                 though
                 the●
                 be
                 a
                 numerous
                 Off-spring
                 .
                 Su●●ly
                 it
                 were
                 better
                 mourn
                 for
                 〈◊〉
                 dead
                 Children
                 ,
                 than
                 for
                 one
                 su●●
                 living
                 Child
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 many
                 such
                 wretched
                 F●●milies
                 can
                 England
                 shew
                 this
                 da●
                 how
                 hath
                 Atheism
                 and
                 Debauc●●ry
                 ruin'd
                 and
                 subverted
                 ma●●
                 great
                 and
                 once
                 famous
                 Familie●
                 O
                 it
                 were
                 better
                 the
                 Arms
                 of
                 tho●●
                 Families
                 had
                 been
                 reversed
                 ,
                 a●●
                 their
                 Lands
                 alienated
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 bett●●
                 had
                 it
                 been
                 a
                 Succession
                 had
                 fa●●●ed
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 their
                 Names
                 had
                 bee●
                 blotted
                 out
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 Satan
                 shoul●
                 rule
                 by
                 Prophaness
                 in
                 the
                 plac●
                 where
                 God
                 was
                 once
                 so
                 serious●●
                 and
                 sweetly
                 worshipped
                 .
              
               
               
                 Whensoever
                 therefore
                 God
                 shall
                 ●ther
                 of
                 these
                 ways
                 subvert
                 a
                 Fa●ily
                 ,
                 it
                 becomes
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 ●oncerned
                 in
                 the
                 Stroke
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 〈◊〉
                 own
                 and
                 acknowledge
                 the
                 ●and
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 search
                 ●●eir
                 Hearts
                 and
                 Houses
                 to
                 find
                 ●ut
                 the
                 sins
                 which
                 have
                 so
                 provo●ed
                 him
                 :
                 yet
                 not
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 fall
                 ●●to
                 an
                 unbecoming
                 despondency
                 ●f
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 but
                 withal
                 to
                 relieve
                 ●●emselves
                 ,
                 as
                 David
                 here
                 doth
                 ●●om
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 
                   Yet
                   ●ath
                   he
                   made
                   with
                   me
                   an
                   everlasting
                   ●ovenant
                   .
                
                 Which
                 brings
                 us
                 to
                 the
                 ●hird
                 and
                 principal
                 point
                 I
                 shall
                 insist
                 on
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Observation
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 
                   That
                   the
                   everlasting
                   ,
                   well
                   order'd
                   ,
                   ●nd
                   sure
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   affords
                   ●verlasting
                   ,
                   well
                   order'd
                   ,
                   and
                   sure
                   Relief
                   to
                   all
                   that
                   are
                   within
                   the
                   bond
                   ●f
                   it
                   ,
                   how
                   many
                   or
                   how
                   great
                   soever
                   ●heir
                   personal
                   or
                   domestick
                   tryals
                   and
                   ●ffictions
                   are
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 This
                 point
                 will
                 be
                 cleared
                 t●
                 your
                 Understandings
                 ,
                 and
                 pre●●pared
                 for
                 your
                 use
                 ,
                 by
                 clearin●
                 and
                 opening
                 three
                 Proposition●
                 which
                 orderly
                 take
                 up
                 the
                 sum
                 an●
                 substance
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Proposition
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 
                   That
                   the
                   minds
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   th●
                   best
                   men
                   ,
                   are
                   weak
                   and
                   feeble
                   thing
                   under
                   the
                   heavy
                   pressures
                   of
                   affliction
                   and
                   will
                   reel
                   and
                   sink
                   under
                   them
                   except
                   they
                   be
                   strongly
                   relieved
                   an●
                   under-propp'd
                   .
                
              
               
                 A
                 bowing
                 Wall
                 doth
                 not
                 more
                 need
                 a
                 strong
                 Shore
                 or
                 Butteress
                 than
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 man
                 needs
                 ●
                 strong
                 Support
                 and
                 Stay
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 weight
                 of
                 Affliction
                 makes
                 it
                 incline
                 and
                 lea●
                 all
                 one
                 way
                 .
                 
                 
                   Unless
                   thy
                   Law
                   ha●
                   been
                   my
                   delights
                   :
                   I
                   should
                   then
                   hav●
                   perished
                   in
                   my
                   affliction
                   .
                   Q.
                   d.
                
                 Wha●
                 shift
                 other
                 men
                 make
                 to
                 stand
                 the
                 shock
                 of
                 their
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 
                 not
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 I
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 God
                 had
                 not
                 seasonably
                 sent
                 me
                 the
                 relief
                 of
                 a
                 promise
                 ,
                 I
                 had
                 certainly
                 gone
                 away
                 in
                 a
                 faint
                 fit
                 of
                 Despondency
                 .
                 O
                 how
                 seasonably
                 did
                 God
                 administer
                 the
                 Cordials
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 to
                 my
                 drooping
                 sinking
                 Soul
                 !
              
               
                 This
                 weakness
                 in
                 the
                 mind
                 ,
                 to
                 support
                 the
                 burdens
                 of
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 proceeds
                 from
                 a
                 double
                 cause
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     From
                     the
                     sinking
                     weight
                     of
                     the
                     Affliction
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     From
                     the
                     irregular
                     and
                     inordinate
                     workings
                     of
                     the
                     thoughts
                     under
                     it
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 sinking
                 weight
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 some
                 sorts
                 of
                 Afflictions
                 :
                 they
                 are
                 heavy
                 pressures
                 ,
                 ponderous
                 burdens
                 in
                 themselves
                 .
                 So
                 Iob
                 speaks
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   that
                   my
                   grief
                   were
                   throughly
                   weighed
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   my
                   calamity
                   laid
                   in
                   the
                   balances
                   together
                   :
                   for
                   now
                   it
                   would
                   be
                   heavier
                   than
                   the
                   sand
                   of
                   the
                   sea
                   ,
                   therefore
                   my
                   words
                   are
                   swallowed
                   up
                   .
                   
                   Q.
                   d.
                
                 If
                 all
                 the
                 Sand
                 that
                 lies
                 upon
                 all
                 the
                 shores
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 were
                 shovelled
                 up
                 into
                 one
                 heap
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 into
                 one
                 scale
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 sorrow●
                 into
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 my
                 grief
                 would
                 weigh
                 it
                 all
                 up
                 .
                 How
                 heavy
                 are
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 the
                 afflicted
                 !
                 what
                 insupportable
                 sorrows
                 do
                 they
                 feel
                 ▪
                 and
                 groan
                 under
                 ,
                 especially
                 when
                 God
                 smites
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 dearest
                 and
                 nearest
                 concerns
                 they
                 have
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 !
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 But
                 especially
                 the
                 reelings
                 and
                 staggerings
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 ,
                 are
                 occasioned
                 by
                 the
                 inordinate
                 and
                 irregular
                 workings
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 thoughts
                 .
                 Were
                 it
                 but
                 possible
                 to
                 keep
                 the
                 mind
                 in
                 a
                 serene
                 ,
                 sedate
                 ,
                 and
                 ordinate
                 frame
                 ,
                 our
                 burdens
                 would
                 be
                 comparatively
                 light
                 to
                 what
                 we
                 now
                 feel
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 ▪
                 but
                 the
                 falling
                 of
                 the
                 thoughts
                 into
                 confusions
                 and
                 great
                 distractions
                 spoils
                 all
                 .
                 Upon
                 this
                 account
                 i●
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 Afflictions
                 are
                 compare●
                 to
                 a
                 stupifying
                 Dose
                 ,
                 which
                 cas●
                 the
                 Soul
                 into
                 amazement
                 .
                 
                 
                   Th●●
                   hast
                   shewed
                   thy
                   people
                   hard
                   thing●
                   thou
                   hast
                   made
                   us
                   to
                   drink
                   the
                   wi●
                   
                   of
                   astonishment
                   .
                
                 Afflictions
                 are
                 called
                 the
                 Wine
                 of
                 Astonishment
                 ,
                 from
                 their
                 effects
                 upon
                 the
                 mind
                 :
                 for
                 under
                 a
                 great
                 and
                 sudden
                 stroke
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 Watch
                 wound
                 up
                 above
                 its
                 due
                 height
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 for
                 a
                 time
                 it
                 stands
                 still
                 ,
                 neither
                 Grace
                 nor
                 Reason
                 move
                 at
                 all
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 it
                 begins
                 to
                 move
                 again
                 ,
                 O
                 how
                 confused
                 and
                 irregular
                 are
                 its
                 motions
                 !
                 It
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 murmurs
                 ,
                 disputes
                 ,
                 and
                 quarrels
                 :
                 these
                 aggravate
                 both
                 our
                 sin
                 and
                 misery
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 our
                 own
                 thoughts
                 which
                 take
                 the
                 Arrow
                 God
                 shot
                 at
                 us
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 did
                 but
                 stick
                 before
                 in
                 our
                 Clothes
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 never
                 intended
                 to
                 hurt
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 warn
                 us
                 )
                 and
                 thrust
                 it
                 into
                 our
                 very
                 hearts
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 T1houghts
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Ponyards
                 ,
                 can
                 pierce
                 and
                 wound
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 Luke
                 2.35
                 .
                 
                   A
                   sword
                   shall
                   pierce
                   through
                   thine
                   own
                   soul
                   ;
                   (
                   i.
                   e.
                   )
                
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 shall
                 pierce
                 thee
                 .
                 They
                 can
                 shake
                 the
                 whole
                 fabrick
                 of
                 the
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 loose
                 the
                 best
                 compacted
                 and
                 strongly
                 joynted
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 Body
                 .
                 Dan.
                 5.6
                 .
                 
                   His
                   thoughts
                   troubled
                   
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   joynts
                   of
                   his
                   loyns
                   were
                   loosed
                   .
                
                 And
                 thus
                 a
                 mans
                 own
                 mind
                 becomes
                 a
                 Rack
                 of
                 Torment
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 a
                 misery
                 which
                 no
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 except
                 men
                 and
                 Devils
                 ,
                 are
                 subjected
                 to
                 .
                 O
                 how
                 many
                 Bodies
                 have
                 been
                 destroy'd
                 by
                 the
                 Passions
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 !
                 they
                 cut
                 through
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 keen
                 Knife
                 through
                 a
                 narrow
                 Sheath
                 .
                 
                   Worldly
                   sorrow
                   works
                   death
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 7.10
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Proposition
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 
                   The
                   merciful
                   God
                   ,
                   in
                   condescension
                   to
                   the
                   weakness
                   of
                   his
                   people
                   ,
                   hath
                   provided
                   the
                   best
                   supports
                   and
                   reliefs
                   for
                   their
                   feeble
                   and
                   afflicted
                   Spirits
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   In
                   the
                   multitude
                   of
                   the
                   thoughts
                   I
                   had
                   within
                   me
                   ,
                   thy
                   comforts
                   delight
                   my
                   Soul.
                
                 Carnal
                 men
                 seek
                 their
                 relief
                 ,
                 under
                 trouble
                 ,
                 from
                 carnal
                 things
                 ;
                 when
                 one
                 Creature
                 forsakes
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 retreat
                 to
                 another
                 which
                 is
                 yet
                 left
                 them
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 are
                 beaten
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 their
                 hearts
                 fail
                 ,
                 having
                 no
                 acquaintance
                 
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 special
                 interest
                 in
                 him
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 Creatures
                 will
                 quickly
                 spend
                 all
                 that
                 allowance
                 of
                 comfort
                 they
                 have
                 to
                 spend
                 upon
                 us
                 .
                 Some
                 try
                 what
                 relief
                 the
                 Rules
                 of
                 Philosophy
                 can
                 yield
                 them
                 ,
                 supposing
                 a
                 neat
                 sentence
                 of
                 Seneca
                 may
                 be
                 as
                 good
                 a
                 remedy
                 as
                 a
                 Text
                 of
                 David
                 or
                 Paul
                 ;
                 but
                 alas
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 do
                 :
                 submission
                 from
                 fatal
                 necessity
                 ,
                 will
                 never
                 ease
                 the
                 afflicted
                 mind
                 ,
                 as
                 Christian
                 resignation
                 will
                 do
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 eradicating
                 ,
                 but
                 regulating
                 of
                 the
                 affections
                 ,
                 that
                 composes
                 a
                 burthened
                 and
                 distracted
                 Soul.
                 One
                 word
                 of
                 God
                 will
                 signifie
                 more
                 to
                 our
                 peace
                 ,
                 than
                 all
                 the
                 famed
                 and
                 admired
                 Precepts
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 neglect
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 seek
                 relief
                 from
                 the
                 Creature
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 forsake
                 the
                 Fountain
                 of
                 living
                 Waters
                 ,
                 and
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 broken
                 Cisterns
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 can
                 hold
                 no
                 water
                 .
                 The
                 best
                 Creature
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 Cistern
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 Fountain
                 ;
                 and
                 our
                 dependance
                 on
                 it
                 makes
                 it
                 a
                 broken
                 Cistern
                 ,
                 strikes
                 a
                 hole
                 through
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 can
                 hold
                 no
                 water
                 .
                 
                   I
                   ,
                   even
                   I
                
                 (
                 saith
                 God
                 )
                 
                   am
                   he
                   that
                   comforteth
                   thee
                
                 .
                 
                 The
                 same
                 hand
                 that
                 wounds
                 you
                 ,
                 must
                 heal
                 you
                 ▪
                 or
                 you
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 healed
                 .
                 Ou●
                 compassionate
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 to
                 asswage
                 our
                 sorrows
                 ,
                 
                 hath
                 promised
                 
                   he
                   wi●●
                   not
                   leave
                   us
                   comfortless
                   .
                
                 Our
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 contend
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 lest
                 the
                 Spirit
                 fail
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 Isai.
                 57.16
                 .
                 He
                 knew
                 how
                 ineffectual
                 all
                 other
                 comforts
                 and
                 Comforters
                 would
                 be
                 ,
                 even
                 Physicians
                 of
                 no
                 value
                 ▪
                 and
                 therefore
                 hath
                 graciously
                 prepared
                 comforts
                 for
                 his
                 distressed
                 ones
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 reach
                 their
                 end
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Proposition
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   gathered
                   all
                   the
                   material●
                   and
                   principals
                   of
                   our
                   relief
                   into
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   and
                   expects
                   that
                   〈◊〉
                   betake
                   our selves
                   unto
                   it
                   ,
                   in
                   times
                   o●
                   distress
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   our
                   sure
                   ,
                   sufficient
                   ,
                   and
                   only
                   Remedy
                   .
                
              
               
                 As
                 all
                 the
                 Rivers
                 run
                 into
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 Congregation
                 
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Waters
                 ;
                 so
                 all
                 the
                 Promises
                 and
                 Comforts
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 are
                 gathered
                 into
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 Congregation
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 sweet
                 streams
                 of
                 Refreshment
                 that
                 are
                 dispersed
                 throughout
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 .
                 The
                 Covenant
                 is
                 the
                 Store-house
                 of
                 Promises
                 ,
                 the
                 Shop
                 of
                 Cordials
                 and
                 rare
                 Elixirs
                 ,
                 to
                 revive
                 us
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 Faintings
                 ;
                 though
                 alas
                 most
                 men
                 know
                 no
                 more
                 what
                 are
                 their
                 Virtues
                 ,
                 or
                 where
                 to
                 find
                 them
                 ,
                 than
                 an
                 illiterate
                 Rustick
                 ,
                 put
                 into
                 an
                 
                   Apothecary's
                   Shop
                
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 was
                 the
                 Cordial
                 God
                 prepared
                 to
                 revive
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 his
                 poor
                 Captives
                 groaning
                 under
                 hard
                 and
                 grievous
                 Bondage
                 both
                 in
                 Egypt
                 and
                 in
                 Babylon
                 ?
                 Was
                 it
                 not
                 his
                 Covenant
                 with
                 Abraham
                 ?
                 And
                 why
                 did
                 he
                 give
                 it
                 the
                 solemn
                 confirmation
                 by
                 an
                 Oath
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 yield
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 believing
                 Seed
                 ,
                 
                 
                   strong
                   consolation
                
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 spirit
                 of
                 joy
                 amidst
                 all
                 their
                 sorrows
                 ?
              
               
                 And
                 what
                 was
                 the
                 relief
                 God
                 gave
                 to
                 the
                 believing
                 Eunuchs
                 that
                 
                 kept
                 his
                 Sabbaths
                 ,
                 took
                 hold
                 of
                 his
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 chose
                 the
                 things
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 delighted
                 .
                 
                   To
                   them
                
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   will
                   I
                   give
                   in
                   my
                   house
                   ,
                   and
                   within
                   my
                   walls
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   a
                   place
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   nam●
                   better
                   than
                   that
                   of
                   sons
                   or
                   of
                   Daughters
                   .
                
                 Though
                 they
                 were
                 deprived
                 of
                 those
                 comforts
                 other
                 men
                 have
                 in
                 their
                 Posterity
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 them
                 look
                 upon
                 themselves
                 as
                 dry
                 Trees
                 ;
                 a
                 Covenant-interest
                 would
                 answer
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 recompence
                 abundantly
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 Children
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 earthly
                 comfort
                 .
              
               
                 Certainly
                 therefore
                 ,
                 David
                 was
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 door
                 of
                 relief
                 and
                 comfort
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 repairs
                 to
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 as
                 here
                 in
                 the
                 Text
                 ,
                 
                   Yet
                   hath
                   he
                   made
                   with
                   me
                   an
                   everlasting
                   Covenant
                   .
                
                 There
                 ,
                 or
                 nowhere
                 ,
                 the
                 Relief
                 of
                 Gods
                 Afflicted
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 thing
                 become
                 a
                 compleat
                 any
                 perfect
                 relief
                 to
                 an
                 afflicted
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 these
                 three
                 Properties
                 must
                 concur
                 and
                 meet
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 else
                 it
                 can
                 never
                 effectually
                 relieve
                 any
                 man.
                 
              
               
                 
                 
                   I.
                   It
                   must
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   remove
                   all
                   the
                   causes
                   and
                   grounds
                   of
                   troubles
                   .
                
                 
                   II.
                   It
                   must
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   do
                   so
                   at
                   all
                   times
                   .
                
                 
                   III.
                   It
                   must
                   be
                   capable
                   of
                   a
                   good
                   personal
                   security
                   to
                   us
                   .
                
              
               
                 For
                 if
                 it
                 only
                 divert
                 our
                 troubles
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 Creature-comforts
                 use
                 to
                 do
                 )
                 and
                 do
                 not
                 remove
                 the
                 ground
                 and
                 cause
                 of
                 our
                 trouble
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 but
                 an
                 Anodine
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 Cure
                 or
                 Remedy
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 it
                 can
                 remove
                 the
                 very
                 ground
                 and
                 cause
                 of
                 our
                 trouble
                 for
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 then
                 't
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 temporary
                 relief
                 ;
                 our
                 troubles
                 may
                 return
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 left
                 in
                 as
                 bad
                 case
                 as
                 we
                 were
                 before
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 in
                 it self
                 able
                 to
                 remove
                 all
                 the
                 causes
                 and
                 grounds
                 of
                 our
                 trouble
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 capable
                 of
                 a
                 personal
                 security
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 our
                 well-established
                 interest
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 all
                 signifies
                 nothing
                 to
                 our
                 relief
                 .
              
               
               
                 But
                 open
                 your
                 eyes
                 and
                 behold
                 ,
                 O
                 ye
                 afflicted
                 Saints
                 ,
                 all
                 these
                 Properties
                 of
                 a
                 compleat
                 relief
                 meeting
                 together
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 display'd
                 in
                 the
                 Text.
                 Here
                 is
                 a
                 Covenant
                 able
                 to
                 remove
                 all
                 the
                 grounds
                 and
                 causes
                 of
                 your
                 trouble
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 
                   ORDER'D
                   i●
                   all
                   things
                
                 ,
                 or
                 aptly
                 disposed
                 by
                 the
                 wisdom
                 and
                 contrivance
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 answer
                 every
                 cause
                 and
                 ground
                 of
                 trouble
                 and
                 sorrow
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 this
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ;
                 as
                 well
                 in
                 our
                 day
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 
                 David's
                 or
                 
                 Abraham's
                 day
                 :
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 
                   Everlasting
                   Covenant
                
                 ;
                 its
                 vertue
                 and
                 efficacy
                 is
                 not
                 decay'd
                 by
                 time
                 .
                 And
                 lastly
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 personal
                 security
                 or
                 assurance
                 to
                 all
                 Gods
                 afflicted
                 people
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 
                   Sure
                   Covenant
                
                 .
                 The
                 concurrence
                 of
                 these
                 three
                 Properties
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 makes
                 it
                 a
                 complea●
                 Relief
                 ,
                 a
                 perfect
                 Remedy
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 nothing
                 is
                 wanting
                 in
                 the
                 kind
                 and
                 nature
                 of
                 a
                 Remedy
                 .
                 These
                 three
                 glorious
                 Properties
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 are
                 my
                 proper
                 Province
                 to
                 open
                 and
                 confirm
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 support
                 
                 and
                 comfort
                 in
                 this
                 Day
                 of
                 Trouble
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 
                   That
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   is
                   able
                   to
                   remove
                   all
                   the
                   causes
                   and
                   grounds
                   of
                   a
                   Believers
                   trouble
                   ,
                   be
                   they
                   never
                   so
                   great
                   or
                   many
                   .
                
                 This
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 will
                 be
                 convinceingly
                 evidenced
                 and
                 demonstrated
                 by
                 the
                 following
                 Arguments
                 ,
                 or
                 undeniable
                 Reasons
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Argument
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   Whatsoever
                   disarms
                   Afflictions
                   of
                   the
                   only
                   sting
                   whereby
                   they
                   wound
                   us
                   ,
                   must
                   needs
                   be
                   a
                   compleat
                   Relief
                   and
                   Remedy
                   to
                   the
                   afflicted
                   Soul.
                   
                
                 
                   But
                   so
                   doth
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   it
                   disarms
                   Afflictions
                   of
                   the
                   only
                   sting
                   by
                   which
                   they
                   wound
                   us
                   .
                
                 
                   Therefore
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   must
                   needs
                   be
                   a
                   compleat
                   
                   Relief
                   and
                   Remedy
                   to
                   the
                   afflicted
                   Soul.
                   
                
                 
                   The
                   sting
                   of
                   all
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   guilt
                   of
                   sin
                   ;
                   when
                   God
                   smites
                   ,
                   Conscience
                   usually
                   smites
                   too
                   :
                   and
                   this
                   is
                   it
                   that
                   causes
                   all
                   that
                   pain
                   and
                   anguish
                   in
                   the
                   afflicted
                   .
                   'T
                   is
                   plainly
                   so
                   in
                   the
                   Example
                   of
                   the
                   Widow
                   of
                   Zarephath
                   ,
                   
                   when
                   her
                   son
                   ,
                   her
                   only
                   son
                   ,
                   and
                   probably
                   her
                   only
                   child
                   died
                   ,
                   how
                   did
                   that
                   stroke
                   of
                   God
                   revive
                   guilt
                   in
                   her
                   Conscience
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   the
                   affliction
                   piercing
                   and
                   intolerable
                   !
                   as
                   appears
                   by
                   her
                   passionate
                   Expostulation
                   with
                   Elijah
                   ,
                   who
                   then
                   sojourned
                   in
                   her
                   house
                   :
                   
                     What
                     have
                     I
                     to
                     do
                     with
                     thee
                     ,
                     O
                     thou
                     man
                     of
                     God
                     ?
                     art
                     thou
                     come
                     unto
                     me
                     to
                     call
                     my
                     sin
                     to
                     remembrance
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     slay
                     my
                     son
                     ?
                     Q.
                     d.
                  
                   What
                   injury
                   have
                   I
                   done
                   thee
                   ?
                   Didst
                   thou
                   come
                   hither
                   to
                   observe
                   my
                   sins
                   ,
                   and
                   pray
                   down
                   this
                   Judgment
                   upon
                   my
                   Child
                   for
                   them
                   ?
                   The
                   death
                   of
                   her
                   son
                   revived
                   her
                   guilt
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   it
                   generally
                   doth
                   ,
                   even
                   in
                   the
                   most
                   holy
                   men
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   When
                   Iob
                   looked
                   upon
                   his
                   wasted
                   body
                   under
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   every
                   wrinkle
                   he
                   saw
                   upon
                   it
                   ,
                   seemed
                   to
                   him
                   like
                   a
                   witness
                   rising
                   up
                   to
                   testifie
                   against
                   him
                   .
                   
                   
                     Thou
                     hast
                     filled
                     me
                     with
                     wrinkles
                     which
                     is
                     a
                     witness
                     against
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     my
                     leaness
                     rising
                     up
                     in
                     me
                     ,
                     beareth
                     witness
                     to
                     my
                     face
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Affliction
                   is
                   like
                   a
                   
                     Hue
                     and
                     Cry
                  
                   after
                   sin
                   in
                   the
                   ears
                   of
                   Conscience
                   ,
                   and
                   this
                   is
                   the
                   envenom'd
                   poysonous
                   sting
                   and
                   Affliction
                   :
                   pluck
                   out
                   this
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   afflicted
                   man
                   is
                   presently
                   eased
                   ,
                   though
                   the
                   matter
                   of
                   the
                   affliction
                   still
                   abide
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   lie
                   upon
                   him
                   .
                   He
                   is
                   afflicted
                   still
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   cast
                   down
                   by
                   affliction
                   ;
                   the
                   anguish
                   and
                   burden
                   is
                   gone
                   ,
                   though
                   the
                   matter
                   of
                   trouble
                   remain
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   plain
                   both
                   in
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   Experience
                   .
                   Suitable
                   hereunto
                   is
                   that
                   strange
                   ,
                   but
                   sweet
                   Expression
                   ,
                   
                     The
                     inhabitant
                     shall
                     not
                     say
                     I
                     am
                     sick
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     the
                     people
                     that
                     dwell
                     therein
                     shall
                     be
                     forgiven
                     their
                     iniquities
                     .
                  
                   It
                   's
                   not
                   to
                   be
                   imagined
                   these
                   people
                   had
                   found
                   such
                   a
                   
                     fortunate
                     Island
                  
                   ,
                   o●
                   happy
                   Climate
                   ,
                   where
                   no
                   Disease
                   could
                   touch
                   or
                   invade
                   their
                   
                   Bodies
                   ;
                   no
                   ,
                   sickness
                   will
                   find
                   o●
                   the
                   Bodies
                   of
                   the
                   best
                   men
                   ,
                   where
                   ever
                   they
                   live
                   ;
                   wherever
                   sin
                   ha●●
                   been
                   ,
                   sickness
                   and
                   death
                   will
                   fo●●low
                   it
                   .
                   Heaven
                   is
                   the
                   only
                   pr●●viledg'd
                   place
                   from
                   these
                   miseries
                   but
                   the
                   meaning
                   is
                   ,
                   though
                   the●
                   be
                   sick
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   feel
                   th●
                   pains
                   and
                   burdens
                   of
                   sickness
                   they
                   
                     shall
                     not
                     say
                     they
                     are
                     sick
                     :
                  
                   An●
                   why
                   so
                   ?
                   because
                   their
                   iniquitie●
                   are
                   forgiven
                   .
                   Plainly
                   confirmin●
                   what
                   was
                   before
                   asserted
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   anguish
                   of
                   an
                   Affliction
                   is
                   gone
                   as
                   soon
                   as
                   ever
                   the
                   sting
                   of
                   guil●
                   is
                   plucked
                   out
                   .
                   And
                   hence
                   par●doning
                   of
                   the
                   Soul
                   ,
                   and
                   healing
                   o●
                   the
                   Body
                   ,
                   are
                   put
                   together
                   as
                   
                     co●●jugate
                     mercies
                  
                   :
                   
                   
                     Bless
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     O
                     my
                     soul
                     ,
                     who
                     forgiveth
                     all
                     thine
                     iniquities
                     and
                     healeth
                     all
                     thy
                     diseases
                     .
                  
                   When
                   the
                   soul
                   is
                   at
                   ease
                   ,
                   the
                   pains
                   of
                   the
                   body
                   are
                   next
                   to
                   nothing
                   :
                   sick●ness
                   can
                   cloud
                   all
                   natural
                   joys
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   the
                   joy
                   of
                   a
                   Pardon
                   .
                
                 
                   Nay
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   yet
                   more
                   ;
                   pluck
                   out
                   but
                   the
                   sting
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   horrour
                   in
                   Death
                   ,
                   the
                   King
                   of
                   Terrours
                   ,
                   and
                   worst
                   of
                   all
                   outward
                   
                   Evils
                   .
                   See
                   how
                   the
                   pardoned
                   Believer
                   triumphs
                   over
                   it
                   :
                   
                     O
                     death
                  
                   ,
                   
                   
                     where
                     is
                     thy
                     sting
                     ?
                     O
                     grave
                     ,
                     where
                     is
                     thy
                     victory
                     ?
                     the
                     sting
                     of
                     death
                     is
                     sin
                     .
                  
                   They
                   are
                   words
                   of
                   defiance
                   ,
                   as
                   men
                   use
                   to
                   deride
                   and
                   scorn
                   a
                   boasting
                   insulting
                   Enemy
                   ,
                   when
                   they
                   see
                   him
                   cast
                   upon
                   his
                   back
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   sword
                   broken
                   over
                   his
                   head
                   .
                   
                     
                       Heus
                       !
                       uhi
                       nunc
                       fastus
                       ,
                       altaque
                       verba
                       jacent
                       ?
                       
                    
                  
                   Where
                   are
                   your
                   boasts
                   and
                   menaces
                   now
                   ?
                   O
                   Death
                   ,
                   thou
                   hast
                   lost
                   thy
                   sting
                   and
                   terrour
                   together
                   .
                   Thus
                   the
                   pardoned
                   Believer
                   ,
                   with
                   an
                   holy
                   gallantry
                   of
                   spirit
                   ,
                   derides
                   and
                   contemns
                   his
                   disarmed
                   Enemy
                   Death
                   :
                   so
                   then
                   't
                   is
                   manifest
                   ,
                   that
                   whatever
                   plucks
                   out
                   the
                   poysonous
                   sting
                   of
                   Affliction
                   ,
                   must
                   needs
                   be
                   an
                   effectual
                   Remedy
                   and
                   Cure
                   to
                   the
                   afflicted
                   person
                   .
                
                 
                   But
                   this
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   doth
                   ,
                   it
                   reveals
                   and
                   applies
                   Gospel-remission
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   within
                   the
                   blessed
                   bond
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   
                   
                     This
                     shall
                     be
                     the
                     Covenant
                     that
                     I
                     wi●●
                     make
                     with
                     the
                     house
                     of
                     Israel
                  
                   ;
                   
                   
                     I
                     wi●●
                     forgive
                     their
                     iniquity
                  
                   ,
                   
                   
                     and
                     I
                     will
                     remember
                     their
                     sin
                     no
                     more
                     .
                  
                   Behol●
                   here
                   a
                   gracious
                   ,
                   full
                   ,
                   and
                   irrevo●cable
                   Pardon
                   !
                   I
                   will
                   forgive
                   ,
                   o●
                   be
                   propitiously
                   merciful
                   ,
                   as
                   tha●
                   word
                   imports
                   ;
                   pointing
                   plainly
                   t●
                   Christ
                   our
                   Propitiation
                   ,
                   our
                   sin●
                   are
                   forgiven
                   us
                   for
                   his
                   Names
                   sake
                   And
                   a
                   Pardon
                   as
                   full
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   free
                   iniquity
                   and
                   sin
                   ,
                   
                   smaller
                   and
                   grea●ter
                   ,
                   are
                   here
                   forgiven
                   :
                   for
                   Go●
                   in
                   the
                   remission
                   of
                   his
                   peoples
                   sins
                   having
                   respect
                   to
                   the
                   propitiatin●
                   Bloud
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   he
                   pardons
                   all
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   some
                   ,
                   that
                   Bloud
                   deser●ving
                   and
                   purchasing
                   the
                   most
                   ful●
                   and
                   compleat
                   Pardons
                   for
                   his
                   Peo●ple
                   .
                   1.
                   
                   Joh.
                   1.7
                   .
                   
                     The
                     bloud
                     of
                     Christ
                     cleanseth
                     us
                     from
                     all
                     sin
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   And
                   this
                   Covenant-pardon
                   is
                   a
                   firm
                   ,
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   free
                   and
                   full
                   .
                   So
                   ru●
                   the
                   expressions
                   in
                   the
                   Grant
                   ,
                   
                     I
                     wi●
                     remember
                     their
                     sin
                     no
                     more
                     :
                  
                   or
                   in
                   the
                   Apostles
                   words
                   ,
                   Heb.
                   8.13
                   .
                   
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                     〈◊〉
                  
                   .
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   remember
                   them
                   again
                   .
                   That
                   is
                   ,
                   not
                   so
                   remember
                   as
                   to
                   impute
                   them
                   ,
                   o●
                   
                   condemn
                   my
                   pardoned
                   ones
                   for
                   them
                   :
                   for
                   the
                   pardoned
                   persons
                   come
                   no
                   more
                   into
                   condemnation
                   ,
                   Ioh.
                   5.24
                   .
                   their
                   sins
                   are
                   cast
                   into
                   the
                   depths
                   of
                   the
                   Sea
                   ,
                   Mica
                   .
                   7.19
                   .
                   Sooner
                   shall
                   the
                   East
                   ▪
                   and
                   the
                   West
                   ,
                   the
                   two
                   opposite
                   points
                   of
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   meet
                   ,
                   than
                   the
                   pardoned
                   soul
                   and
                   its
                   sins
                   meet
                   again
                   in
                   condemnation
                   ,
                   Psal.
                   103.12
                   .
                
                 
                   Now
                   ,
                   the
                   case
                   standing
                   thus
                   with
                   all
                   Gods
                   Covenant-people
                   ,
                   all
                   their
                   sins
                   being
                   graciously
                   ,
                   fully
                   ,
                   and
                   irrevocably
                   forgiven
                   them
                   ,
                   how
                   convincingly
                   and
                   sweetly
                   doth
                   this
                   conclusion
                   follow
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Covenant
                   is
                   a
                   compleat
                   Remedy
                   to
                   all
                   afflicted
                   Believers
                   ?
                   As
                   nothing
                   can
                   befal
                   us
                   before
                   Christ
                   and
                   Pardon
                   be
                   ours
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   sufficient
                   to
                   raise
                   us
                   ,
                   so
                   nothing
                   can
                   befal
                   us
                   afterwards
                   ,
                   which
                   should
                   deject
                   and
                   sink
                   us
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   first
                   benefit
                   afflicted
                   Believers
                   receive
                   from
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   and
                   this
                   alone
                   is
                   enough
                   to
                   heal
                   all
                   our
                   sorrows
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Argument
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   As
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   d●●
                   arms
                   all
                   the
                   Afflictions
                   of
                   Bel●●vers
                   of
                   the
                   only
                   sting
                   by
                   whi●●
                   they
                   wound
                   them
                   ;
                   so
                   it
                   al●●
                   the
                   very
                   nature
                   and
                   property
                   〈◊〉
                   their
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   and
                   turns
                   the●●
                   from
                   a
                   Curse
                   into
                   a
                   Blessing
                   〈◊〉
                   them
                   :
                   and
                   in
                   so
                   doing
                   it
                   becom●
                   more
                   than
                   a
                   Remedy
                   ,
                   even
                   a
                   choi●●
                   Benefit
                   and
                   Advantage
                   to
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   All
                   Afflictions
                   in
                   their
                   own
                   n●●ture
                   ,
                   are
                   a
                   part
                   of
                   the
                   Curse
                   ;
                   the●●
                   are
                   the
                   consequents
                   and
                   punis●●ments
                   of
                   sin
                   ;
                   they
                   work
                   naturall●
                   against
                   our
                   good
                   :
                   but
                   when
                   on●
                   they
                   are
                   taken
                   into
                   the
                   Covenan●
                   their
                   nature
                   and
                   property
                   is
                   alte●●ed
                   .
                   As
                   Waters
                   in
                   their
                   subterr●●nean
                   passages
                   meeting
                   some
                   ver●tuous
                   Mineral
                   in
                   their
                   course
                   ,
                   a●●
                   thereby
                   impregnated
                   and
                   endow●ed
                   with
                   a
                   rare
                   healing
                   property
                   〈◊〉
                   the
                   Body
                   ;
                   so
                   Afflictions
                   passing
                   through
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   receive
                   from
                   it
                   an
                   healing
                   Vertue
                   to
                   our
                   
                   souls
                   .
                   They
                   are
                   in
                   themselves
                   soure
                   and
                   harsh
                   ,
                   as
                   wild
                   Hedge-Fruits
                   ;
                   but
                   being
                   ingrafted
                   into
                   this
                   stock
                   ,
                   they
                   yield
                   the
                   pleasant
                   Fruits
                   of
                   Righteousness
                   .
                   
                     If
                     his
                     children
                     break
                     my
                     Statutes
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     and
                     keep
                     not
                     my
                     Commandments
                     ,
                     then
                     will
                     I
                     visit
                     their
                     iniquity
                     with
                     the
                     rod
                     ,
                     and
                     their
                     sins
                     with
                     stripes
                     :
                     nevertheless
                     my
                     loving
                     kindness
                     will
                     I
                     not
                     utterly
                     take
                     away
                     ,
                     nor
                     suffer
                     my
                     faithfulness
                     to
                     fail
                     .
                  
                   Here
                   you
                   may
                   see
                   all
                   the
                   Rods
                   of
                   Affliction
                   put
                   into
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   as
                   
                   Aaron's
                   Rod
                   was
                   into
                   the
                   Ark.
                   And
                   hence
                   two
                   things
                   necessarily
                   follow
                   .
                
                 
                   (
                   1.
                   )
                   That
                   such
                   Afflictions
                   can
                   do
                   the
                   Children
                   of
                   God
                   no
                   hurt
                   .
                   They
                   may
                   affright
                   ,
                   but
                   cannot
                   hurt
                   them
                   :
                   We
                   may
                   meet
                   them
                   with
                   fear
                   ,
                   but
                   shall
                   part
                   from
                   them
                   with
                   joy
                   :
                   An
                   unsanctified
                   Rod
                   never
                   did
                   any
                   man
                   good
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   sanctified
                   Rod
                   never
                   did
                   any
                   man
                   hurt
                   :
                   He
                   may
                   afflict
                   our
                   Bodies
                   with
                   sickness
                   ,
                   deny
                   ,
                   or
                   cut
                   off
                   our
                   comfort
                   in
                   Children
                   ,
                   impoverish
                   our
                   Estates
                   ,
                   let
                   loose
                   persecutors
                   ●pon
                   us
                   ;
                   but
                   in
                   all
                   this
                   he
                   really
                   
                   doth
                   us
                   no
                   hurt
                   ,
                   as
                   he
                   speaks
                   in
                   I●●
                   25.6
                   .
                   no
                   more
                   hurt
                   than
                   a
                   skil●
                   Chirurgeon
                   doth
                   in
                   saving
                   his
                   P●●tients
                   life
                   ,
                   by
                   cutting
                   off
                   a
                   mor●●fied
                   gangren'd
                   Member
                   :
                   no
                   mo●●
                   hurt
                   than
                   Frosts
                   and
                   Snow
                   do
                   t●
                   Earth
                   in
                   killing
                   the
                   rank
                   Wee●
                   that
                   exhausted
                   the
                   sap
                   and
                   streng●●
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   preparing
                   and
                   mello●ing
                   it
                   to
                   produce
                   a
                   fruitful
                   crop
                   ●
                   Corn.
                   By
                   these
                   he
                   recals
                   o●
                   minds
                   from
                   vanity
                   ,
                   weans
                   o●
                   fond
                   and
                   ensnaring
                   affections
                   fro●
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   discovers
                   and
                   mortifi●●
                   those
                   lusts
                   ,
                   which
                   gentler
                   method
                   and
                   essays
                   could
                   not
                   do
                   :
                   and
                   ●
                   this
                   for
                   our
                   hurt
                   ?
                
                 
                   I
                   confess
                   Gods
                   thoughts
                   an●
                   ours
                   often
                   differ
                   upon
                   this
                   case●
                   We
                   measure
                   the
                   good
                   and
                   evil
                   o●
                   Providences
                   by
                   their
                   respect
                   t●
                   the
                   ease
                   and
                   pleasure
                   of
                   our
                   flesh●
                   but
                   God
                   sees
                   this
                   is
                   the
                   way
                   to
                   cas●
                   our
                   Spirits
                   into
                   a
                   dead
                   formality
                   and
                   in
                   removing
                   them
                   ,
                   he
                   dot●
                   but
                   deprive
                   us
                   of
                   the
                   occasions
                   and
                   instruments
                   of
                   spiritual
                   mischief●
                   and
                   miseries
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   certainly
                   he
                   doth
                   us
                   no
                   hurt
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   (
                   2.
                   )
                   But
                   that
                   is
                   not
                   all
                   .
                   Af●●ictions
                   once
                   put
                   into
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   must
                   promote
                   the
                   good
                   of
                   ●he
                   Saints
                   :
                   they
                   are
                   beneficial
                   ,
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   harmless
                   things
                   .
                   We
                   know
                   ●saith
                   the
                   Apostle
                   )
                   
                     that
                     all
                     things
                     work
                     together
                     for
                     good
                     to
                     them
                     that
                     ●ove
                     God.
                  
                   This
                   Promise
                   is
                   the
                   Compass
                   which
                   sets
                   the
                   course
                   and
                   directs
                   the
                   motion
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   Af●●ictions
                   of
                   the
                   People
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   ●nd
                   no
                   Ship
                   at
                   Sea
                   obeys
                   the
                   Rudder
                   so
                   exactly
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   troubles
                   of
                   the
                   Righteous
                   do
                   the
                   direction
                   of
                   this
                   Promise
                   .
                   Possibly
                   we
                   cannot
                   discern
                   this
                   at
                   present
                   ,
                   but
                   rather
                   pre●udge
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   say
                   all
                   these
                   things
                   are
                   against
                   us
                   ;
                   but
                   hereafter
                   we
                   shall
                   see
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   ●oy
                   acknowledge
                   them
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   happy
                   instruments
                   of
                   our
                   salvation
                   .
                
                 
                   How
                   often
                   hath
                   Affliction
                   sent
                   ●he
                   People
                   of
                   God
                   to
                   their
                   knees
                   ,
                   with
                   such
                   Language
                   as
                   this
                   !
                   
                     O
                     my
                     God
                     ,
                     how
                     vain
                     and
                     sensual
                     hath
                     this
                     heart
                     of
                     mine
                     been
                     under
                     prosperity
                     !
                     How
                     did
                     the
                     love
                     of
                     the
                     Creature
                     ,
                     like
                     a
                     sluce
                     ,
                     
                     cut
                     in
                     the
                     bank
                     of
                     a
                     River
                     ,
                     draw
                     away
                     the
                     stream
                     of
                     my
                     affect●ons
                     from
                     thee
                     !
                     I
                     had
                     gotten
                     soft
                     a
                     Pillow
                     of
                     Creature-comfort
                     under
                     my
                     head
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     easily
                     fel●
                     asleep
                     ,
                     and
                     dreamed
                     of
                     nothin●
                     but
                     rest
                     and
                     pleasure
                     ,
                     in
                     a
                     stat●
                     of
                     absence
                     from
                     thee
                     ;
                     but
                     now
                     thy
                     Rod
                     hath
                     awakened
                     me
                     and
                     reduced
                     me
                     to
                     a
                     right
                     sen●●
                     of
                     my
                     condition
                     .
                     I
                     was
                     negl●gent
                     or
                     dead-hearted
                     in
                     th●
                     course
                     of
                     my
                     duty
                     ,
                     but
                     now
                     ●
                     can
                     pray
                     more
                     fervently
                     ,
                     feelingly
                     ,
                     and
                     frequently
                     than
                     before
                     .
                     O
                     it
                     was
                     good
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     hav●
                     been
                     afflicted
                     .
                     O
                     ,
                     saith
                     God
                     ,
                     how
                     well
                     was
                     this
                     Rod
                     bestow'd
                     which
                     hath
                     done
                     my
                     poor
                     Chil●
                     so
                     much
                     good
                     !
                     Now
                     I
                     hav●
                     more
                     of
                     his
                     heart
                     ,
                     and
                     more
                     o●
                     his
                     time
                     and
                     company
                     than
                     ever
                     .
                     Now
                     I
                     hear
                     the
                     voice
                     ,
                     and
                     see
                     the
                     gracious
                     workings
                     of
                     the
                     Spirit
                     of
                     my
                     Child
                     after
                     me
                     again
                     ,
                     as
                     in
                     the
                     days
                     of
                     his
                     first
                     love
                     .
                  
                   The
                   sum
                   of
                   all
                   this
                   you
                   may
                   see
                   in
                   the
                   ingenuous
                   meltings
                   of
                   Ephraim
                   under
                   a
                   sanctified
                   Rod
                   ,
                   Ier.
                   31.
                   
                   
                   19,20
                   .
                   and
                   the
                   sounding
                   of
                   the
                   ●owels
                   of
                   mercy
                   over
                   him
                   .
                   
                     '
                     Ephraim
                  
                   mourns
                   at
                   Gods
                   feet
                   ,
                   and
                   God
                   falls
                   upon
                   
                   Ephraim's
                   neck
                   .
                   I
                   have
                   been
                   as
                   a
                   Beast
                   ,
                   saith
                   Ephraim
                   :
                   Thou
                   art
                   a
                   dear
                   son
                   ,
                   a
                   pleasant
                   child
                   ,
                   saith
                   God.
                   My
                   bowels
                   are
                   troubled
                   and
                   pained
                   for
                   sin
                   ,
                   saith
                   Ephraim
                   :
                   And
                   my
                   bowels
                   are
                   troubled
                   for
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   compassions
                   rolled
                   together
                   ,
                   saith
                   God.
                   O
                   blessed
                   fruits
                   of
                   ●anctified
                   Rods
                   !
                   such
                   precious
                   ef●ects
                   as
                   these
                   richly
                   repay
                   you
                   for
                   ●ll
                   the
                   pain
                   and
                   anguish
                   you
                   feel
                   .
                   And
                   thus
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   wound
                   of
                   a
                   Scor●ion
                   is
                   healed
                   by
                   applying
                   its
                   own
                   Oyl
                   ,
                   so
                   the
                   evil
                   of
                   Affliction
                   is
                   cured
                   by
                   the
                   sanctified
                   Fruits
                   that
                   ●t
                   produceth
                   when
                   it
                   is
                   once
                   put
                   ●nto
                   the
                   Covenant
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Argument
                   III.
                   
                
                 
                   The
                   Covenant
                   doth
                   not
                   only
                   alter
                   the
                   nature
                   and
                   property
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   but
                   it
                   also
                   
                     orderl●
                     disposes
                  
                   and
                   aptly
                   places
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   frame
                   of
                   Providence
                   ,
                   among
                   th●
                   other
                   means
                   and
                   instruments
                   〈◊〉
                   our
                   salvation
                   ;
                   so
                   that
                   a
                   Counc●
                   of
                   Angels
                   could
                   never
                   place
                   them
                   or
                   the
                   least
                   circumstance
                   belonging
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                   more
                   aptly
                   and
                   a●vantageously
                   than
                   it
                   hath
                   done
                   ▪
                   The
                   knowledge
                   of
                   this
                   must
                   need
                   quiet
                   and
                   fully
                   relieve
                   the
                   afflicted
                   soul
                   :
                   and
                   who
                   can
                   doubt
                   it
                   that
                   believes
                   it
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   Covenan●
                   
                     ordered
                     in
                     all
                     things
                  
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   Te●
                   speaks
                   ?
                   Here
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   th●
                   most
                   minute-circumstances
                   that
                   be●fal
                   you
                   ,
                   are
                   reduced
                   to
                   their
                   proper
                   Class
                   ,
                   and
                   place
                   of
                   service
                   ;
                   s●
                   exactly
                   ordered
                   ,
                   that
                   all
                   the
                   wi●dom
                   of
                   men
                   and
                   Angels
                   know
                   not
                   how
                   to
                   mend
                   or
                   alter
                   any
                   thing
                   to
                   your
                   advantage
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   If
                   a
                   small
                   Pin
                   be
                   taken
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   frame
                   of
                   a
                   Watch
                   ,
                   and
                   placed
                   any
                   where
                   else
                   ,
                   the
                   motion
                   is
                   either
                   presently
                   stopped
                   ,
                   or
                   made
                   irregular
                   .
                   And
                   as
                   Gallen
                   observes
                   of
                   the
                   curious
                   Fabrick
                   of
                   an
                   humane
                   Body
                   ,
                   that
                   if
                   the
                   greatest
                   Naturalist
                   should
                   study
                   an
                   hundred
                   years
                   to
                   find
                   out
                   a
                   more
                   commodious
                   scituation
                   ,
                   or
                   configuration
                   of
                   any
                   part
                   thereof
                   ,
                   it
                   could
                   never
                   be
                   done
                   .
                   'T
                   is
                   so
                   here
                   :
                   No
                   man
                   can
                   come
                   after
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   say
                   ,
                   this
                   or
                   that
                   had
                   been
                   better
                   placed
                   or
                   timed
                   ,
                   than
                   it
                   is
                   ,
                   if
                   this
                   Affliction
                   had
                   been
                   spared
                   ,
                   and
                   such
                   an
                   enjoyment
                   stood
                   in
                   the
                   room
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   it
                   had
                   been
                   better
                   .
                   All
                   God's
                   Providences
                   are
                   the
                   results
                   and
                   issues
                   of
                   his
                   infinite
                   Wisdom
                   :
                   for
                   
                     he
                     works
                     all
                     things
                     according
                     to
                     the
                     counsel
                     of
                     his
                     own
                     will
                     ,
                  
                   Eph.
                   1.11
                   .
                   The
                   Wheels
                   ,
                   (
                   i.
                   e.
                   )
                   the
                   motions
                   and
                   revolutions
                   of
                   Providence
                   ,
                   are
                   full
                   of
                   Eyes
                   ;
                   
                   they
                   are
                   well
                   advised
                   ,
                   and
                   judicious
                   motions
                   ,
                   
                     Non
                     caeco
                     impetu
                     volvuntur
                     rotae
                  
                   ;
                   they
                   run
                   not
                   at
                   random
                   .
                   The
                   most
                   regular
                   and
                   excellent
                   
                   working
                   ,
                   must
                   needs
                   follow
                   the
                   most
                   deep
                   and
                   perfect
                   counsel
                   .
                   Isai.
                   28
                   ▪
                   29.
                   
                   
                     He
                     is
                     deep
                     in
                     counsel
                     ,
                     and
                     excellent
                     in
                     working
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Now
                   every
                   Affliction
                   that
                   befals
                   Gods
                   covenanted
                   People
                   ,
                   being
                   placed
                   by
                   the
                   most
                   wise
                   and
                   infinite
                   counsel
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   in
                   tha●
                   very
                   order
                   ,
                   time
                   ,
                   and
                   manner
                   in
                   which
                   they
                   befal
                   them
                   ,
                   this
                   very
                   Affliction
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   that
                   ,
                   at
                   this
                   very
                   time
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   at
                   another
                   ,
                   (
                   it
                   being
                   always
                   a
                   time
                   of
                   need
                   ▪
                   1
                   Pet.
                   1.6
                   .
                   )
                   and
                   usher'd
                   in
                   by
                   such
                   fore-running
                   occasions
                   and
                   circumstances
                   ;
                   it
                   must
                   follow
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   all
                   take
                   the
                   proper
                   places
                   ▪
                   and
                   nick
                   exactly
                   the
                   fittest
                   seasons
                   ▪
                   and
                   if
                   one
                   of
                   them
                   were
                   wanting
                   ,
                   something
                   would
                   be
                   defective
                   in
                   the
                   frame
                   of
                   your
                   happiness
                   .
                   As
                   they
                   now
                   stand
                   ,
                   they
                   work
                   together
                   for
                   your
                   good
                   ,
                   which
                   displaced
                   ,
                   they
                   would
                   not
                   do
                   .
                
                 
                   It
                   's
                   said
                   ,
                   Ier.
                   18.11
                   .
                   
                     Behold
                     ●
                     frame
                     evil
                     ,
                     and
                     I
                     devise
                     a
                     devi●
                  
                   ▪
                   It
                   's
                   spoken
                   of
                   the
                   contrivance
                   and
                   frame
                   of
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   proper
                   work
                   of
                   God.
                   The
                   project
                   of
                   i●
                   
                   is
                   laid
                   for
                   his
                   glory
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   eternal
                   good
                   of
                   his
                   People
                   .
                   It
                   turns
                   to
                   their
                   salvation
                   ,
                   1
                   Phil.
                   19.
                   
                   But
                   oh
                   how
                   fain
                   would
                   we
                   have
                   this
                   or
                   that
                   Affliction
                   scrued
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   frame
                   of
                   Providence
                   ,
                   conceiving
                   it
                   would
                   be
                   far
                   better
                   out
                   than
                   in
                   .
                   O
                   if
                   God
                   had
                   spared
                   my
                   Child
                   ,
                   or
                   my
                   Health
                   ,
                   it
                   had
                   been
                   better
                   for
                   me
                   than
                   now
                   it
                   is
                   .
                   But
                   this
                   is
                   no
                   other
                   than
                   a
                   presumptuous
                   correcting
                   and
                   controlling
                   of
                   the
                   Wisdom
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   and
                   so
                   he
                   interprets
                   it
                   ,
                   Iob
                   40.2
                   .
                   
                     He
                     that
                     reproveth
                     God
                     ,
                     let
                     him
                     answer
                     it
                     .
                  
                   God
                   hath
                   put
                   every
                   Affliction
                   upon
                   your
                   Persons
                   ,
                   Estates
                   ,
                   Relations
                   ,
                   just
                   where
                   you
                   find
                   and
                   feel
                   it
                   ;
                   and
                   that
                   whole
                   frame
                   he
                   hath
                   put
                   into
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   vertue
                   whereof
                   it
                   works
                   for
                   your
                   salvation
                   :
                   and
                   therefore
                   let
                   all
                   disputings
                   and
                   reasonings
                   ,
                   all
                   murmurs
                   and
                   discontents
                   cease
                   ,
                   nothing
                   can
                   be
                   better
                   for
                   you
                   ,
                   than
                   as
                   God
                   hath
                   laid
                   it
                   ;
                   and
                   this
                   one
                   would
                   think
                   should
                   heal
                   and
                   quiet
                   all
                   .
                   You
                   your selves
                   would
                   mar
                   all
                   ,
                   by
                   presuming
                   to
                   mend
                   any
                   thing
                   .
                   
                   
                     Who
                     hath
                     directed
                     the
                     spirit
                     of
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     or
                     being
                     his
                     counsellour
                     ,
                     hath
                     taught
                     him
                     ?
                     With
                     whom
                     took
                     he
                     counsel
                     ,
                     and
                     who
                     instructed
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     taught
                     him
                     the
                     path
                     of
                     judgment
                     ?
                     and
                     taught
                     him
                     knowledge
                     ,
                     and
                     shewed
                     him
                     the
                     way
                     of
                     understanding
                     ?
                  
                   Well
                   then
                   ,
                   be
                   satisfied
                   't
                   is
                   best
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   ;
                   and
                   nothing
                   can
                   be
                   so
                   advantageous
                   to
                   you
                   ,
                   as
                   God's
                   project
                   and
                   contrivance
                   ,
                   which
                   you
                   are
                   so
                   uneasie
                   under
                   ,
                   and
                   dissatisfi'd
                   about
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Argument
                   IV.
                   
                
                 
                   As
                   the
                   Covenant
                   sorts
                   and
                   ranks
                   all
                   your
                   troubles
                   into
                   their
                   proper
                   Classes
                   and
                   places
                   of
                   service
                   ,
                   so
                   it
                   secures
                   the
                   special
                   gracious
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   you
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   deepest
                   plunges
                   of
                   distress
                   that
                   can
                   befal
                   you
                   ;
                   which
                   presence
                   is
                   a
                   full
                   relief
                   to
                   all
                   your
                   troubles
                   ,
                   or
                   else
                   nothing
                   in
                   the
                   World
                   is
                   or
                   can
                   be
                   so
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   very
                   Heathens
                   thought
                   themselves
                   well
                   secured
                   against
                   all
                   
                   evils
                   and
                   dangers
                   ,
                   if
                   they
                   had
                   their
                   petty
                   houshold
                   Gods
                   with
                   them
                   in
                   their
                   Journeys
                   :
                   but
                   the
                   great
                   God
                   of
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   hath
                   engaged
                   to
                   be
                   with
                   his
                   People
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   their
                   afflictions
                   and
                   distresses
                   .
                   As
                   a
                   tender
                   Father
                   sits
                   up
                   himself
                   with
                   his
                   sick
                   Child
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   not
                   leave
                   him
                   to
                   the
                   care
                   of
                   a
                   Servant
                   only
                   ;
                   so
                   God
                   thinks
                   it
                   not
                   enough
                   to
                   leave
                   his
                   Children
                   to
                   the
                   tutelage
                   and
                   charge
                   of
                   Angels
                   ,
                   but
                   will
                   be
                   with
                   them
                   himself
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   in
                   a
                   special
                   and
                   peculiar
                   way
                   :
                   so
                   run
                   the
                   express
                   words
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   
                   
                     I
                     will
                     not
                     turn
                     away
                     from
                     them
                     to
                     do
                     them
                     good
                     ,
                     but
                     I
                     will
                     put
                     my
                     fear
                     into
                     their
                     hearts
                     ;
                     and
                     they
                     shall
                     not
                     depart
                     from
                     me
                     .
                  
                   Here
                   he
                   undertakes
                   for
                   both
                   parts
                   ,
                   himself
                   and
                   them
                   .
                   
                     I
                     will
                     not
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   
                     they
                     shall
                     not
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   Here
                   is
                   the
                   Saints
                   security
                   for
                   the
                   gracious
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                   a
                   presence
                   which
                   dispels
                   all
                   the
                   Clouds
                   of
                   affliction
                   and
                   sorrow
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   Sun
                   scatters
                   the
                   morning
                   Mists
                   .
                   The
                   God
                   of
                   all
                   consolation
                   is
                   with
                   you
                   ,
                   O
                   poor
                   dejected
                   
                   Believers
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   not
                   such
                   a
                   presence
                   turn
                   the
                   darkness
                   into
                   light
                   round
                   about
                   you
                   ?
                   There
                   is
                   a
                   threefold
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   his
                   Creatures
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Essential
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     common
                     and
                     necessary
                     to
                     all
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Gracious
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     peculiar
                     to
                     some
                     on
                     Earth
                     .
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     Glorious
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     the
                     felicity
                     of
                     Heaven
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   The
                   first
                   is
                   not
                   the
                   priviledge
                   here
                   secured
                   ;
                   for
                   it
                   is
                   necessary
                   to
                   all
                   ,
                   good
                   and
                   bad
                   :
                   in
                   him
                   we
                   all
                   live
                   ,
                   and
                   move
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   our
                   being
                   .
                   The
                   vilest
                   Men
                   on
                   Earth
                   ,
                   yea
                   the
                   Beasts
                   of
                   the
                   Field
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   very
                   Devils
                   in
                   Hell
                   are
                   always
                   in
                   this
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   but
                   it
                   is
                   their
                   torment
                   ,
                   rather
                   than
                   their
                   priviledge
                   .
                   The
                   last
                   is
                   proper
                   to
                   the
                   glorified
                   Saints
                   and
                   Angels
                   .
                   Such
                   a
                   presence
                   imbodied
                   ,
                   Saints
                   cannot
                   now
                   bear
                   ;
                   but
                   it
                   is
                   his
                   special
                   gracious
                   presence
                   which
                   is
                   made
                   over
                   and
                   secured
                   to
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   :
                   and
                   this
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   manifested
                   to
                   them
                   two
                   ways
                   .
                
                 
                   
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Internally
                     ,
                     by
                     the
                     Spirit
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Externally
                     ,
                     by
                     Providence
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Internally
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Grace
                   dwelling
                   and
                   acting
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                   this
                   is
                   a
                   choice
                   priviledge
                   to
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   affliction
                   :
                   for
                   hereby
                   they
                   are
                   instructed
                   and
                   taught
                   the
                   meaning
                   of
                   the
                   Rod.
                   Psal.
                   94.12
                   .
                   
                     Blessed
                     is
                     the
                     man
                     whom
                     thou
                     chastenest
                     ,
                     and
                     teachest
                     him
                     out
                     of
                     thy
                     law
                     .
                  
                   O
                   't
                   is
                   a
                   blessed
                   thing
                   to
                   be
                   taught
                   so
                   many
                   Lessons
                   by
                   the
                   Rod
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   Spirit
                   teacheth
                   them
                   !
                   Surely
                   they
                   reckon
                   it
                   an
                   abundant
                   recompence
                   of
                   all
                   that
                   they
                   suffer
                   .
                   
                   
                     It
                     is
                     good
                     for
                     me
                     that
                     I
                     have
                     been
                     afflicted
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     might
                     learn
                     thy
                     statutes
                     .
                  
                   Yea
                   ,
                   he
                   refreshes
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   teaches
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   Cordials
                   revive
                   like
                   his
                   .
                   
                   
                     In
                     the
                     multitude
                     of
                     the
                     thoughts
                     I
                     had
                     within
                     me
                     ,
                     thy
                     comforts
                     delight
                     my
                     soul.
                  
                   Yea
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   presence
                   and
                   blessing
                   of
                   his
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   our
                   Afflictions
                   are
                   sanctified
                   to
                   subdue
                   and
                   purge
                   out
                   our
                   corruptions
                   .
                   
                   
                     By
                     this
                     shall
                     the
                     iniquity
                     of
                     Iacob
                     be
                     purged
                     ,
                     and
                     this
                     
                     is
                     all
                     the
                     fruit
                     to
                     take
                     away
                     sin
                     .
                  
                   Now
                   if
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   instructed
                   in
                   the
                   ends
                   and
                   designs
                   of
                   the
                   Rod
                   ,
                   refreshed
                   and
                   comforted
                   under
                   every
                   stripe
                   of
                   the
                   Rod
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   his
                   sins
                   mortified
                   and
                   purged
                   by
                   the
                   sanctification
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   upon
                   his
                   Afflictions
                   ;
                   then
                   both
                   the
                   burthensomness
                   and
                   bitterness
                   of
                   his
                   Afflictions
                   are
                   removed
                   and
                   healed
                   by
                   the
                   internal
                   presence
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   his
                   afflicted
                   ones
                   .
                   But
                   ,
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Besides
                   this
                   ,
                   God
                   is
                   providentially
                   present
                   with
                   his
                   People
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   their
                   troubles
                   ,
                   in
                   a
                   more
                   external
                   way
                   ;
                   ordering
                   all
                   the
                   circumstances
                   of
                   their
                   troubles
                   to
                   their
                   advantage
                   .
                   He
                   orders
                   the
                   degree
                   and
                   extent
                   of
                   our
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   still
                   leaving
                   us
                   some
                   mercies
                   and
                   comforts
                   to
                   support
                   and
                   refresh
                   us
                   ,
                   when
                   others
                   are
                   cut
                   off
                   .
                   In
                   measure
                   doth
                   he
                   debate
                   with
                   his
                   Covenant
                   People
                   ,
                   
                   staying
                   the
                   rough
                   wind
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   the
                   East
                   wind
                   .
                   He
                   might
                   justly
                   smite
                   all
                   our
                   outward
                   Comforts
                   at
                   once
                   ,
                   so
                   that
                   Affliction
                   should
                   not
                   rise
                   up
                   
                   the
                   second
                   time
                   :
                   for
                   what
                   comfort
                   soever
                   hath
                   been
                   abused
                   by
                   sin
                   ,
                   is
                   thereby
                   forfeited
                   into
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   Judgment
                   .
                   But
                   the
                   Lord
                   knows
                   our
                   inability
                   to
                   sustain
                   such
                   strokes
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   proportions
                   them
                   to
                   our
                   strength
                   .
                   We
                   have
                   some
                   living
                   Relations
                   to
                   minister
                   comfort
                   to
                   us
                   ,
                   when
                   mourning
                   over
                   our
                   dead
                   :
                   He
                   makes
                   not
                   a
                   full
                   end
                   of
                   all
                   at
                   once
                   .
                   Yea
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Providence
                   supports
                   our
                   frail
                   Bodies
                   ,
                   enabling
                   them
                   to
                   endure
                   the
                   shocks
                   and
                   storms
                   of
                   so
                   many
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   without
                   ruine
                   .
                   Surely
                   there
                   is
                   as
                   much
                   of
                   the
                   care
                   of
                   Providence
                   manifested
                   in
                   this
                   ,
                   as
                   there
                   is
                   in
                   preserving
                   poor
                   crazy
                   leaking
                   Barks
                   ,
                   and
                   weather-beaten
                   Vessels
                   at
                   Sea
                   ,
                   when
                   the
                   Waves
                   not
                   only
                   cover
                   them
                   ,
                   but
                   break
                   into
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   are
                   ready
                   to
                   founder
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   O
                   what
                   a
                   singular
                   mercy
                   is
                   the
                   gracious
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   men
                   !
                   even
                   the
                   special
                   presence
                   of
                   that
                   God
                   ,
                   
                   
                     who
                     is
                     above
                     all
                     ,
                     and
                     through
                     all
                     ,
                     and
                     in
                     you
                     all
                     ,
                  
                   as
                   the
                   Apostle
                   speaks
                   .
                   
                     Above
                     all
                  
                   ,
                   in
                   Majesty
                   
                   and
                   Dominion
                   ;
                   
                     through
                     all
                  
                   ,
                   in
                   his
                   most
                   efficacious
                   Providence
                   ;
                   and
                   
                     in
                     you
                     all
                  
                   ,
                   by
                   his
                   Grace
                   and
                   Spirit
                   .
                   As
                   he
                   is
                   above
                   all
                   ,
                   so
                   he
                   is
                   able
                   to
                   command
                   any
                   Mercy
                   you
                   want
                   ,
                   with
                   a
                   word
                   of
                   his
                   mouth
                   ;
                   as
                   he
                   is
                   through
                   all
                   ,
                   so
                   he
                   must
                   be
                   intimately
                   acquainted
                   with
                   all
                   your
                   wants
                   ,
                   straights
                   ,
                   and
                   fears
                   ;
                   and
                   as
                   he
                   is
                   in
                   you
                   all
                   ,
                   so
                   he
                   is
                   engaged
                   for
                   your
                   support
                   and
                   supply
                   ,
                   as
                   you
                   are
                   the
                   dear
                   Members
                   of
                   Christ's
                   mystical
                   Body
                   .
                
                 
                   Object
                   .
                   But
                   methinks
                   I
                   hear
                   
                   Gideon's
                   Objection
                   rolled
                   into
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   this
                   soveraign
                   Consolation
                   .
                   If
                   God
                   be
                   with
                   us
                   ,
                   why
                   is
                   all
                   this
                   Evil
                   befallen
                   us
                   ?
                
                 
                   Sol.
                   All
                   what
                   ?
                   If
                   it
                   had
                   been
                   all
                   this
                   rebellion
                   and
                   rage
                   against
                   God
                   ,
                   all
                   this
                   apostacy
                   and
                   revolting
                   more
                   and
                   more
                   ,
                   all
                   this
                   contumacy
                   and
                   hardness
                   of
                   heart
                   under
                   the
                   Rod
                   ;
                   then
                   it
                   had
                   been
                   a
                   weighty
                   and
                   stumbling
                   Objection
                   indeed
                   :
                   but
                   to
                   say
                   ,
                   If
                   God
                   be
                   with
                   us
                   ,
                   why
                   are
                   all
                   these
                   chastening
                   corrections
                   and
                   temporal
                   crosses
                   befallen
                   us
                   ?
                   why
                   doth
                   he
                   smite
                   
                   our
                   Bodies
                   ,
                   Children
                   ,
                   or
                   Estates
                   ?
                   is
                   an
                   Objection
                   no
                   way
                   fit
                   to
                   be
                   urged
                   by
                   any
                   that
                   are
                   acquainted
                   with
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   nature
                   and
                   tenour
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   .
                   Is
                   afflicting
                   and
                   forsaking
                   ,
                   all
                   one
                   with
                   you
                   ?
                   must
                   God
                   needs
                   hate
                   ,
                   because
                   he
                   scourgeth
                   you
                   ?
                   I
                   question
                   whether
                   Satan
                   himself
                   hath
                   impudence
                   enough
                   to
                   set
                   such
                   a
                   Note
                   or
                   Comment
                   upon
                   Heb.
                   12.6
                   .
                   
                     For
                     Whom
                     the
                     Lord
                     loveth
                     ,
                     he
                     chasteneth
                     ,
                     and
                     scourgeth
                     every
                     son
                     whom
                     he
                     receiveth
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   No
                   ,
                   no
                   ,
                   Christian
                   ,
                   't
                   is
                   not
                   a
                   chastening
                   Rod
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   denying
                   of
                   such
                   a
                   favour
                   ,
                   and
                   suffering
                   men
                   to
                   sin
                   with
                   impunity
                   ,
                   and
                   go
                   on
                   prosperously
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   their
                   own
                   hearts
                   ,
                   that
                   speaks
                   a
                   rejected
                   man
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   next
                   words
                   ,
                   ver
                   .
                   7.
                   informs
                   you
                   .
                   As
                   he
                   never
                   loved
                   you
                   the
                   better
                   for
                   your
                   prosperity
                   ,
                   so
                   you
                   may
                   be
                   confident
                   he
                   loves
                   you
                   never
                   the
                   less
                   for
                   your
                   adversity
                   :
                   and
                   will
                   not
                   this
                   close
                   and
                   heal
                   the
                   wounds
                   made
                   by
                   Affliction
                   ?
                   What
                   ,
                   not
                   such
                   a
                   Promise
                   as
                   this
                   ,
                   
                     I
                     will
                     be
                     with
                     him
                     in
                     trouble
                     ,
                     
                     Psal.
                  
                   91.15
                   .
                   Will
                   not
                   such
                   a
                   presence
                   revive
                   thee
                   ?
                   What
                   then
                   can
                   do
                   it
                   ?
                   Moses
                   reckoned
                   that
                   a
                   Wilderness
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   was
                   better
                   than
                   a
                   Canaan
                   without
                   him
                   .
                   
                   
                     If
                     thy
                     presence
                     go
                     not
                     with
                     me
                  
                   (
                   saith
                   he
                   )
                   
                     then
                     carry
                     us
                     not
                     hence
                  
                   .
                   And
                   if
                   there
                   be
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   a
                   Christian
                   in
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   God
                   should
                   give
                   thee
                   thine
                   own
                   choice
                   ,
                   thou
                   wouldst
                   rather
                   chuse
                   to
                   be
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   all
                   these
                   Afflictions
                   with
                   thy
                   God
                   ,
                   than
                   back
                   again
                   in
                   all
                   thy
                   prosperity
                   ,
                   and
                   among
                   thy
                   Children
                   and
                   former
                   Comforts
                   ,
                   without
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Argument
                   V.
                   
                
                 
                   
                     As
                     this
                     Covenant
                     assures
                     you
                     of
                     Gods
                     gracious
                     and
                     special
                     presence
                     ,
                     so
                     it
                     fully
                     secures
                     all
                     the
                     Essentials
                     and
                     Substantials
                     of
                     your
                     Happiness
                     ,
                     against
                     all
                     hazards
                     and
                     contingencies
                     ;
                     in
                     which
                     security
                     lies
                     your
                     full
                     Relief
                     and
                     compleat
                     Remedy
                     against
                     all
                     your
                     troubles
                     for
                     the
                     loss
                     of
                     other
                     things
                     .
                  
                
                 
                 
                   There
                   be
                   two
                   sorts
                   of
                   things
                   belonging
                   to
                   all
                   God's
                   People
                   ,
                   viz.
                   
                   
                     
                       1.
                       
                       Essentials
                       .
                    
                     
                       2.
                       
                       Accidentals
                       .
                    
                  
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   They
                   have
                   somethings
                   which
                   are
                   essential
                   to
                   their
                   Happiness
                   ;
                   such
                   are
                   the
                   loving
                   kindness
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   pardon
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   union
                   with
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   eternal
                   salvation
                   .
                   And
                   they
                   have
                   other
                   things
                   which
                   are
                   Accidentals
                   ,
                   that
                   come
                   and
                   go
                   ,
                   live
                   and
                   die
                   ,
                   without
                   affecting
                   or
                   altering
                   their
                   Happiness
                   ;
                   such
                   are
                   Health
                   ,
                   Estates
                   ,
                   Children
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   sorts
                   of
                   Relations
                   and
                   earthly
                   Comforts
                   .
                   These
                   are
                   to
                   our
                   Happiness
                   ,
                   as
                   Leaves
                   are
                   to
                   the
                   Tree
                   which
                   fade
                   and
                   fall
                   away
                   without
                   endangering
                   the
                   Tree
                   ;
                   but
                   the
                   other
                   as
                   the
                   vital
                   Sap
                   ,
                   without
                   which
                   it
                   withers
                   and
                   dies
                   at
                   the
                   very
                   root
                   .
                   Now
                   if
                   it
                   can
                   be
                   made
                   out
                   that
                   the
                   Covenant
                   fully
                   secures
                   the
                   former
                   ;
                   then
                   it
                   will
                   strongly
                   follow
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   therein
                   abundantly
                   relieves
                   us
                   under
                   all
                   our
                   
                   sorrows
                   for
                   the
                   latter
                   :
                   and
                   that
                   it
                   doth
                   so
                   ,
                   will
                   evidently
                   appear
                   ,
                   by
                   reviewing
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   wherein
                   you
                   shall
                   find
                   all
                   these
                   substantial
                   and
                   essential
                   Mercies
                   of
                   Believers
                   ,
                   fully
                   secured
                   against
                   all
                   hazards
                   and
                   contingencies
                   whatsoever
                   .
                
                 
                   There
                   the
                   loving
                   kindness
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   secured
                   to
                   their
                   Souls
                   ,
                   whatever
                   Afflictions
                   he
                   lays
                   upon
                   their
                   Bodies
                   .
                   
                   
                     Nevertheless
                     my
                     loving
                     kindness
                     will
                     I
                     not
                     take
                     away
                     .
                  
                   And
                   their
                   pardon
                   is
                   as
                   safe
                   as
                   the
                   favour
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   ;
                   't
                   is
                   safely
                   locks
                   up
                   in
                   that
                   Promise
                   ,
                   
                   
                     I
                     will
                     remember
                     their
                     sins
                     no
                     more
                     .
                  
                   Yea
                   ,
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   together
                   with
                   our
                   perseverance
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   to
                   it
                   ,
                   are
                   both
                   put
                   out
                   of
                   hazard
                   by
                   that
                   invaluable
                   Promise
                   ,
                   
                     They
                     shall
                     never
                     perish
                  
                   ,
                   
                   
                     neither
                     shall
                     any
                     man
                     pluck
                     them
                     out
                     of
                     my
                     hand
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Thus
                   are
                   all
                   the
                   Essentials
                   of
                   a
                   Believers
                   Happiness
                   secured
                   in
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ;
                   and
                   these
                   being
                   safe
                   ,
                   the
                   loss
                   of
                   other
                   enjoyments
                   should
                   not
                   much
                   affect
                   or
                   wound
                   them
                   ,
                   because
                   if
                   he
                   enjoy
                   them
                   ,
                   they
                   add
                   nothing
                   to
                   his
                   Happiness
                   ;
                   
                   and
                   if
                   he
                   lose
                   them
                   ,
                   he
                   is
                   still
                   happy
                   in
                   God
                   without
                   them
                   .
                   And
                   this
                   unriddles
                   that
                   AEnigmatical
                   Expression
                   of
                   the
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   
                   
                     As
                     having
                     nothing
                     ,
                     and
                     yet
                     possessing
                     all
                     things
                     ;
                     (
                     i.
                     e.
                     )
                  
                   the
                   substraction
                   of
                   all
                   external
                   things
                   cannot
                   make
                   us
                   miserable
                   ,
                   who
                   have
                   Christ
                   for
                   our
                   portion
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   our
                   happiness
                   intire
                   in
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   If
                   a
                   man
                   travelling
                   on
                   the
                   Rode
                   fall
                   into
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   Thieves
                   who
                   rob
                   him
                   of
                   a
                   few
                   shillings
                   ,
                   why
                   this
                   doth
                   not
                   much
                   affect
                   him
                   :
                   for
                   though
                   he
                   have
                   lost
                   his
                   spending
                   Money
                   ,
                   yet
                   his
                   stock
                   is
                   safe
                   at
                   home
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Estate
                   secure
                   ,
                   which
                   will
                   yield
                   him
                   more
                   .
                   Or
                   if
                   a
                   man
                   have
                   been
                   at
                   Court
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   obtain'd
                   a
                   Pardon
                   for
                   his
                   Life
                   ,
                   or
                   a
                   Grant
                   of
                   a
                   Thousand
                   pound
                   
                     per
                     annum
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   returning
                   home
                   should
                   chance
                   to
                   lose
                   his
                   Gloves
                   or
                   his
                   Handkerchief
                   ,
                   sure
                   if
                   the
                   man
                   be
                   in
                   his
                   wits
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   not
                   take
                   on
                   or
                   mourn
                   for
                   the
                   loss
                   of
                   these
                   Trifles
                   ,
                   whilst
                   the
                   Pardon
                   or
                   Grant
                   is
                   safe
                   .
                   Surely
                   these
                   things
                   are
                   not
                   worth
                   the
                   mentioning
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   true
                   ,
                   the
                   loss
                   of
                   outward
                   earthly
                   things
                   ,
                   are
                   to
                   a
                   Believer
                   real
                   Tryals
                   ,
                   yet
                   they
                   are
                   but
                   seeming
                   Losses
                   :
                   and
                   therefore
                   they
                   are
                   expressed
                   in
                   the
                   Apostles
                   phrase
                   with
                   a
                   Tanquam
                   ,
                   
                   
                     sicut
                     :
                     As
                     chastened
                     ,
                     and
                     not
                     killed
                     ;
                     as
                     sorrowful
                     ,
                     yet
                     always
                     rejoycing
                     .
                  
                   And
                   if
                   your
                   losses
                   be
                   but
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   losses
                   ,
                   your
                   sorrows
                   should
                   be
                   but
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   sorrows
                   :
                   Much
                   like
                   a
                   Physick
                   sickness
                   ,
                   which
                   we
                   do
                   not
                   call
                   a
                   proper
                   sickness
                   ,
                   but
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   a
                   sickness
                   ,
                   because
                   it
                   conduceth
                   to
                   the
                   health
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   the
                   hurt
                   of
                   the
                   Person
                   ;
                   as
                   all
                   God's
                   medicinal
                   Afflictions
                   on
                   his
                   People
                   also
                   do
                   .
                
                 
                   Indeed
                   ,
                   if
                   the
                   stroke
                   of
                   God
                   were
                   at
                   our
                   Souls
                   ,
                   to
                   cut
                   them
                   off
                   from
                   Christ
                   and
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   to
                   raze
                   our
                   Names
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   or
                   revoke
                   the
                   pardon
                   of
                   sin
                   ;
                   then
                   we
                   had
                   cause
                   enough
                   to
                   justifie
                   the
                   extremity
                   of
                   sorrow
                   ;
                   cause
                   enough
                   to
                   weep
                   out
                   our
                   eyes
                   ,
                   and
                   break
                   our
                   hearts
                   for
                   such
                   a
                   dismal
                   blow
                   as
                   that
                   would
                   be
                   .
                   But
                   blessed
                   be
                   God
                   you
                   stand
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   
                   way
                   of
                   such
                   strokes
                   as
                   these
                   ;
                   let
                   God
                   strike
                   round
                   about
                   you
                   ,
                   or
                   lay
                   his
                   hand
                   upon
                   any
                   other
                   comforts
                   you
                   possess
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   never
                   smite
                   you
                   in
                   these
                   essential
                   things
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   certainly
                   enough
                   to
                   allay
                   and
                   relieve
                   all
                   your
                   other
                   sorrows
                   .
                
                 
                   My
                   Name
                   is
                   blotted
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                   but
                   still
                   it
                   is
                   written
                   in
                   Heaven
                   .
                   God
                   hath
                   taken
                   my
                   only
                   son
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   hath
                   given
                   his
                   only
                   Son
                   for
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   me
                   .
                   He
                   hath
                   broken
                   off
                   my
                   hopes
                   and
                   expectations
                   as
                   to
                   this
                   World
                   ,
                   but
                   my
                   hopes
                   of
                   Heaven
                   are
                   fixed
                   ,
                   sure
                   ,
                   and
                   immoveable
                   for
                   ever
                   .
                   My
                   house
                   and
                   heart
                   are
                   both
                   in
                   confusion
                   and
                   great
                   disorder
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   have
                   still
                   an
                   everlasting
                   Covenant
                   ordered
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   sure
                   .
                   I
                   cannot
                   say
                   my
                   son
                   liveth
                   ,
                   ●ut
                   I
                   can
                   still
                   say
                   I
                   know
                   that
                   my
                   Redeemer
                   liveth
                   .
                   
                     The
                     grass
                     wither●th
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     flower
                     fadeth
                     ;
                     but
                     the
                     word
                     of
                     the
                     Lord
                     abideth
                     for
                     ever
                     ,
                  
                   Isai.
                   40.8
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Argument
                   VI.
                   
                
                 
                   As
                   God
                   strikes
                   none
                   of
                   the
                   sub●stantial
                   Mercies
                   of
                   his
                   covenan●
                   People
                   ,
                   so
                   when
                   he
                   doth
                   smi●●
                   their
                   external
                   and
                   accidental
                   Com●forts
                   ,
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   〈◊〉
                   sures
                   them
                   ,
                   that
                   even
                   those
                   stroke●
                   are
                   the
                   strokes
                   of
                   Love
                   ,
                   and
                   m●
                   Wrath
                   ;
                   the
                   Wounds
                   of
                   a
                   Frien●
                   and
                   not
                   of
                   an
                   Enemy
                   :
                   which
                   another
                   singular
                   relief
                   to
                   the
                   affl●●cted
                   soul.
                   
                
                 
                   The
                   most
                   frightful
                   thing
                   in
                   an
                   Affliction
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   mark
                   or
                   characte●
                   of
                   God's
                   Wrath
                   which
                   it
                   seems
                   〈◊〉
                   bear
                   :
                   take
                   away
                   that
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Affl●●ction
                   is
                   nothing
                   .
                   
                   
                     O
                     Lord
                     ,
                     rebuke
                     〈◊〉
                     not
                     in
                     thine
                     anger
                     ,
                     neither
                     chasten
                     〈◊〉
                     in
                     thy
                     hot
                     displeasure
                     .
                  
                   He
                   doth
                   no●
                   deprecate
                   the
                   rebukes
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   a●●ger
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   not
                   his
                   chastening
                   but
                   his
                   hot
                   displeasure
                   .
                   Gods
                   a●●ger
                   is
                   much
                   more
                   terrible
                   than
                   hi●
                   rebuking
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   hot
                   displeasur●
                   than
                   his
                   chastening
                   .
                   Therefor●
                   he
                   intreats
                   ,
                   that
                   whatever
                   God
                   di●
                   
                   to
                   him
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   affliction
                   ,
                   he
                   would
                   do
                   nothing
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   wrath
                   ;
                   and
                   then
                   he
                   could
                   bear
                   any
                   thing
                   from
                   him
                   .
                   A
                   mark
                   of
                   divine
                   anger
                   ingraven
                   upon
                   any
                   Affliction
                   ,
                   makes
                   that
                   Affliction
                   dreadful
                   to
                   a
                   gracious
                   soul.
                   
                
                 
                   But
                   if
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   well
                   satisfied
                   that
                   whatever
                   anguish
                   there
                   be
                   ,
                   yet
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   anger
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   the
                   Rod
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   Hand
                   of
                   Love
                   :
                   O
                   how
                   it
                   eases
                   the
                   soul
                   ,
                   and
                   lightens
                   the
                   burden
                   !
                   Now
                   this
                   desirable
                   point
                   is
                   abundantly
                   cleared
                   in
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ;
                   where
                   we
                   find
                   a
                   clear
                   Consistence
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   a
                   necessary
                   Connection
                   betwixt
                   the
                   Love
                   and
                   the
                   Rod
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   Psal.
                   89.31
                   .
                   and
                   Heb.
                   12.6
                   .
                   nay
                   ,
                   so
                   far
                   are
                   the
                   Afflictions
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   from
                   being
                   marks
                   of
                   his
                   Wrath
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   the
                   Fruits
                   and
                   Evidences
                   of
                   his
                   Fatherly
                   Love.
                   
                
                 
                   Two
                   men
                   walking
                   through
                   the
                   Streets
                   ,
                   see
                   a
                   company
                   of
                   Boys
                   ●ighting
                   ,
                   one
                   of
                   them
                   steps
                   forth
                   ●nd
                   singles
                   out
                   one
                   of
                   those
                   Boys
                   ,
                   ●nd
                   carries
                   him
                   home
                   to
                   correct
                   ●im
                   ;
                   which
                   of
                   the
                   two
                   think
                   you
                   
                   is
                   that
                   Childs
                   Father
                   ?
                   The
                   c●●
                   standing
                   thus
                   with
                   all
                   Gods
                   People
                   ,
                   surely
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   reason
                   fo●
                   their
                   despondencies
                   whatever
                   the●●
                   Afflictions
                   be
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Argument
                   VII
                   .
                
                 
                   Lastly
                   ,
                   the
                   Covenant
                   doth
                   no●
                   only
                   discover
                   the
                   consistence
                   an●
                   connection
                   betwixt
                   the
                   Love
                   an●
                   the
                   Rod
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   but
                   it
                   also
                   giv●
                   full
                   satisfaction
                   to
                   the
                   Saints
                   ,
                   th●●
                   whatsoever
                   temporary
                   Mercy
                   the●
                   are
                   deprived
                   of
                   ,
                   which
                   was
                   with
                   in
                   the
                   Bond
                   of
                   the
                   Covenan●
                   when
                   they
                   enjoyed
                   it
                   ,
                   is
                   no●
                   lost
                   ,
                   but
                   shall
                   certainly
                   be
                   restore●
                   to
                   them
                   again
                   with
                   a
                   rich
                   im●provement
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   they
                   shall
                   en●joy
                   it
                   again
                   to
                   all
                   eternity
                   .
                
                 
                   What
                   a
                   rare
                   Model
                   or
                   Platfor●
                   of
                   Consolatory
                   Arguments
                   ha●●
                   the
                   Apostle
                   laid
                   down
                   ,
                   to
                   antido●●
                   our
                   immoderate
                   sorrows
                   for
                   th●
                   death
                   of
                   our
                   dear
                   Relatives
                   whic●
                   died
                   interested
                   in
                   Christ
                   and
                   th●
                   Covenant
                   !
                   
                     I
                     would
                     not
                     have
                     yo●●
                     
                     ●gnorant
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     brethren
                     ,
                     concerning
                     them
                     which
                     are
                     asleep
                     ,
                  
                   v.
                   13.
                   
                   They
                   are
                   not
                   dead
                   ,
                   but
                   asleep
                   .
                   Sleep
                   is
                   but
                   〈◊〉
                   Parenthesis
                   to
                   the
                   Labours
                   and
                   Travels
                   of
                   this
                   Life
                   ;
                   and
                   it
                   is
                   but
                   a
                   partial
                   privation
                   ,
                   not
                   of
                   the
                   ha●it
                   ,
                   but
                   acts
                   of
                   Reason
                   ,
                   to
                   which
                   ●pon
                   awaking
                   the
                   soul
                   returns
                   again
                   .
                   Just
                   such
                   a
                   thing
                   is
                   that
                   ●hich
                   in
                   believers
                   is
                   commonly
                   ●alled
                   Death
                   .
                   And
                   we
                   do
                   not
                   ●se
                   to
                   bewail
                   our
                   Friends
                   ,
                   because
                   ●hey
                   are
                   fallen
                   asleep
                   :
                   And
                   there●●re
                   it
                   no
                   way
                   becomes
                   us
                   to
                   sor●ow
                   as
                   those
                   that
                   have
                   no
                   hope
                   ,
                   or
                   to
                   look
                   upon
                   them
                   as
                   lost
                   ;
                   〈◊〉
                   (
                   as
                   he
                   strongly
                   argueth
                   and
                   concludeth
                   ,
                   v.
                   14
                   )
                   their
                   restora●ion
                   to
                   their
                   Bodies
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   ●ur
                   enjoyment
                   again
                   ,
                   is
                   fully
                   se●●red
                   both
                   to
                   them
                   and
                   us
                   by
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   Jesus
                   from
                   the
                   ●ead
                   .
                   The
                   influence
                   of
                   his
                   Re●●rrection
                   is
                   by
                   the
                   Prophet
                   
                   Isaiah
                   ●ompared
                   to
                   the
                   Morning-dew
                   ,
                   
                   〈◊〉
                   shew
                   that
                   what
                   vertue
                   there
                   is
                   〈◊〉
                   the
                   Morning-dew
                   to
                   cause
                   the
                   ●nguishing
                   Plants
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   to
                   ●ive
                   and
                   flourish
                   ,
                   that
                   ,
                   and
                   much
                   
                   more
                   there
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   Resurrectio●
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   to
                   revive
                   and
                   quicke●
                   the
                   dead
                   bodies
                   of
                   these
                   Saints
                   ,
                   their
                   Bodies
                   shall
                   be
                   restored
                   by
                   vertue
                   of
                   the
                   warm
                   animating
                   dew
                   or
                   influence
                   of
                   his
                   Resurrection
                   .
                
                 
                   Obj.
                   But
                   the
                   marvellous
                   change
                   which
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   makes
                   up
                   on
                   glorified
                   Bodies
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   long
                   separation
                   of
                   many
                   Ages
                   betwi●●
                   us
                   and
                   them
                   ,
                   seems
                   to
                   make
                   it
                   in
                   possible
                   for
                   us
                   to
                   know
                   them
                   〈◊〉
                   those
                   that
                   were
                   once
                   related
                   to
                   〈◊〉
                   upon
                   Earth
                   ;
                   and
                   if
                   so
                   ,
                   then
                   tha●
                   comfort
                   which
                   resulted
                   from
                   them
                   as
                   in
                   relation
                   to
                   us
                   ,
                   is
                   perishe●
                   with
                   them
                   at
                   death
                   .
                
                 
                   Sol.
                   Whatever
                   change
                   the
                   R●surrection
                   shall
                   make
                   on
                   their
                   B●dies
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   length
                   of
                   time
                   betwixt
                   our
                   parting
                   with
                   them
                   〈◊〉
                   Earth
                   ,
                   and
                   meeting
                   them
                   agai●
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   ;
                   neither
                   th●
                   one
                   or
                   other
                   seem
                   sufficient
                   to
                   i●form
                   the
                   grounds
                   of
                   our
                   hope
                   ,
                   th●●
                   we
                   shall
                   know
                   them
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   ver●
                   persons
                   that
                   were
                   once
                   so
                   dear
                   t●
                   us
                   upon
                   Earth
                   .
                   There
                   may
                   remai●
                   
                   ●ome
                   lineament
                   or
                   property
                   of
                   in●ividuation
                   whereby
                   the
                   acute
                   ●lorified
                   eye
                   may
                   possibly
                   discover
                   ●ho
                   they
                   were
                   ;
                   or
                   if
                   not
                   ,
                   yet
                   ●one
                   can
                   doubt
                   but
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   dis●overed
                   to
                   us
                   by
                   revelation
                   from
                   God
                   :
                   and
                   that
                   one
                   way
                   or
                   other
                   ●t
                   will
                   be
                   discovered
                   ,
                   is
                   highly
                   pro●able
                   ,
                   because
                   nothing
                   will
                   be
                   denied
                   to
                   that
                   perfect
                   State
                   which
                   may
                   contribute
                   to
                   ,
                   or
                   compleat
                   ●he
                   joy
                   and
                   happiness
                   thereof
                   ,
                   as
                   ●e
                   cannot
                   but
                   think
                   this
                   know●edge
                   will
                   do
                   .
                   If
                   Adam
                   knew
                   Eve
                   to
                   be
                   flesh
                   of
                   his
                   flesh
                   ,
                   and
                   ●one
                   of
                   his
                   bone
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   state
                   of
                   ●nnocence
                   ;
                   and
                   if
                   the
                   Apostles
                   knew
                   Moses
                   and
                   Elias
                   upon
                   the
                   Mount
                   ;
                   yea
                   ,
                   if
                   Dives
                   in
                   Hell
                   ●new
                   Abraham
                   and
                   Lazarus
                   in
                   Heaven
                   :
                   sure
                   we
                   may
                   well
                   allow
                   ●hat
                   knowledge
                   to
                   the
                   glorified
                   ●aints
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   which
                   we
                   find
                   ●n
                   the
                   State
                   of
                   Innocence
                   ,
                   or
                   in
                   ●he
                   sinful
                   State
                   on
                   Earth
                   ,
                   or
                   in
                   ●he
                   State
                   of
                   the
                   Damned
                   in
                   Hell.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   if
                   so
                   ,
                   then
                   the
                   Covenanted
                   Parents
                   shall
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   say
                   in
                   that
                   
                   day
                   ,
                   This
                   was
                   our
                   Child
                   for
                   who●
                   we
                   prayed
                   and
                   travelled
                   again
                   ,
                   ti●●
                   Christ
                   was
                   formed
                   in
                   him
                   ;
                   th●●
                   is
                   he
                   whom
                   we
                   educated
                   for
                   God
                   ▪
                   and
                   trained
                   up
                   in
                   the
                   Nurture
                   an●
                   Admonition
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ;
                   and
                   now
                   we
                   see
                   the
                   fruit
                   of
                   our
                   Prayers
                   ,
                   Counsels
                   ,
                   Catechisings
                   ,
                   〈◊〉
                   Child
                   of
                   so
                   many
                   Prayers
                   perishe●
                   not
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   Covenanted
                   Chil●●
                   shall
                   say
                   ,
                   This
                   was
                   my
                   pious
                   ●●●ther
                   ,
                   who
                   took
                   such
                   care
                   for
                   my
                   Soul
                   ;
                   and
                   this
                   my
                   tender
                   Mother
                   who
                   ,
                   like
                   another
                   Monica
                   ,
                   was
                   ze●●lously
                   concerned
                   for
                   my
                   etern●●
                   happiness
                   .
                   These
                   are
                   they
                   th●●
                   sowed
                   so
                   many
                   Prayers
                   ,
                   which
                   God
                   gave
                   them
                   not
                   time
                   〈◊〉
                   reap
                   the
                   fruits
                   of
                   on
                   Earth
                   ,
                   b●●
                   now
                   they
                   shall
                   reap
                   the
                   fruit
                   an●
                   comfort
                   of
                   them
                   for
                   ever
                   .
                   O
                   joy●ful
                   meeting
                   in
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   o●
                   God!
                   The
                   joy
                   of
                   such
                   a
                   meeting
                   abundantly
                   recompences
                   for
                   a●●
                   the
                   tears
                   and
                   groans
                   of
                   a
                   dolorou●
                   parting
                   .
                
                 
                   Now
                   ,
                   put
                   all
                   this
                   together
                   ,
                   an●
                   value
                   the
                   Arguments
                   produced
                   to
                   make
                   good
                   the
                   first
                   thing
                   pro●pounded
                   ,
                   
                   namely
                   the
                   sufficiency
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                   to
                   relieve
                   and
                   remedy
                   all
                   the
                   sorrows
                   and
                   losses
                   of
                   Believers
                   ,
                   be
                   they
                   never
                   so
                   many
                   ,
                   or
                   so
                   great
                   ;
                   this
                   cannot
                   be
                   doubted
                   ,
                   since
                   it
                   hath
                   been
                   proved
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   Disarms
                   all
                   their
                   Afflictions
                   of
                   the
                   only
                   sting
                   by
                   which
                   they
                   wound
                   ;
                   Alters
                   the
                   very
                   nature
                   and
                   property
                   of
                   their
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   turning
                   them
                   from
                   Curses
                   into
                   Blessings
                   ;
                   Ranks
                   and
                   Disposes
                   them
                   into
                   their
                   proper
                   class
                   and
                   place
                   of
                   service
                   ,
                   so
                   as
                   the
                   counsel
                   of
                   men
                   and
                   Angels
                   could
                   never
                   lay
                   them
                   better
                   to
                   our
                   advantage
                   ;
                   Engages
                   the
                   gracious
                   and
                   special
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   you
                   in
                   all
                   your
                   troubles
                   ;
                   Secures
                   all
                   your
                   essential
                   and
                   substantial
                   Mercies
                   from
                   all
                   hazards
                   and
                   contingencies
                   ;
                   Discovers
                   a
                   consistency
                   ,
                   yea
                   a
                   connection
                   betwixt
                   the
                   Rod
                   and
                   the
                   Love
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   and
                   Assures
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   whatever
                   temporal
                   Mercy
                   you
                   ever
                   enjoy'd
                   in
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   vertue
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   restored
                   to
                   you
                   again
                   with
                   an
                   admirable
                   improvement
                   ,
                   and
                   singular
                   
                   advantage
                   .
                   It
                   is
                   by
                   all
                   this
                   ,
                   I
                   say
                   abundantly
                   proved
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Covenant
                   is
                   a
                   soveraign
                   and
                   effectua
                   Remedy
                   to
                   all
                   the
                   sorrows
                   o●
                   Gods
                   People
                   ;
                   and
                   that
                   it
                   was
                   no●
                   Hyperbole
                   in
                   
                   David's
                   Encomium
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   call'd
                   it
                   his
                   Salvation
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   his
                   Desire
                   .
                   But
                   then
                   ,
                   as
                   I
                   hinted
                   before
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 It
                 must
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 these
                 things
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 Ages
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 but
                 a
                 temporary
                 relief
                 to
                 some
                 only
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 all
                 .
                 Now
                 that
                 the
                 Covenant
                 hath
                 this
                 ability
                 in
                 all
                 Ages
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 as
                 able
                 to
                 relieve
                 us
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 relieve
                 David
                 in
                 his
                 day
                 ,
                 fully
                 appears
                 by
                 the
                 Epithet
                 given
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 Text
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 
                   EVERLASTING
                   COVENANT
                   .
                   Yet
                   hath
                   he
                   made
                   with
                   me
                   an
                   everlasting
                   Covenant
                   .
                
              
               
                 Time
                 is
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 other
                 things
                 ;
                 but
                 Everlastingness
                 is
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 Lord
                 espouseth
                 a
                 People
                 to
                 
                 himself
                 in
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   betroths
                   them
                   to
                   himself
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 Hos.
                 2.19
                 .
                 and
                 from
                 that
                 day
                 forward
                 they
                 may
                 say
                 on
                 good
                 grounds
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   God
                   is
                   our
                   God
                   for
                   ever
                   and
                   ever
                   :
                   he
                   will
                   be
                   our
                   guide
                   even
                   unto
                   death
                   ,
                
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 Psal.
                 48.14
                 .
                 Nothing
                 in
                 nature
                 is
                 so
                 firmly
                 established
                 as
                 the
                 Covenant
                 is
                 .
                 Hills
                 and
                 Mountains
                 shall
                 sooner
                 start
                 from
                 their
                 basis
                 and
                 centre
                 ,
                 and
                 fly
                 like
                 wandering
                 Atomes
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 in
                 the
                 Air
                 ,
                 than
                 this
                 Covenant
                 shall
                 start
                 from
                 its
                 sure
                 and
                 stedfast
                 foundation
                 ,
                 Isai.
                 54.10
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Causes
                 and
                 Reasons
                 of
                 the
                 immutability
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     The
                     unchangeable
                     purpose
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     a
                     sure
                     and
                     stedfast
                     foundation
                     .
                     2
                     Tim.
                     2.19
                     .
                     
                       Nevertheless
                       ,
                       the
                       foundation
                       of
                       God
                       standeth
                       sure
                       ,
                       having
                       this
                       seal
                       ,
                       the
                       Lord
                       knoweth
                       who
                       are
                       his
                       .
                    
                     The
                     first
                     act
                     of
                     Gods
                     love
                     to
                     the
                     creature
                     is
                     that
                     by
                     which
                     he
                     chuseth
                     such
                     a
                     one
                     to
                     be
                     his
                     ,
                     and
                     is
                     therefore
                     called
                     the
                     foundation
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     as
                     being
                     that
                     on
                     which
                     he
                     lays
                     the
                     super-structure
                     
                     of
                     all
                     other
                     Mercies
                     .
                     And
                     this
                     stand
                     sure
                     ,
                     there
                     can
                     be
                     no
                     vacillancy
                     or
                     slipperiness
                     in
                     such
                     a
                     foundation
                     :
                     for
                     he
                     knows
                     who
                     are
                     his
                     ;
                     he
                     knows
                     them
                     as
                     his
                     Creatures
                     ,
                     and
                     as
                     his
                     new
                     Creatures
                     in
                     Covenant
                     with
                     him
                     ;
                     as
                     his
                     by
                     Election
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     by
                     Covenant
                     ,
                     Transaction
                     and
                     Compact
                     .
                     The
                     purpose
                     of
                     his
                     Grace
                     before
                     time
                     ,
                     gave
                     being
                     to
                     the
                     Covenant
                     of
                     Grace
                     in
                     time
                     ,
                     and
                     is
                     the
                     foundation
                     of
                     it
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     The
                     Free
                     Grace
                     of
                     God
                     in
                     Christ
                     ,
                     is
                     that
                     which
                     gives
                     immutability
                     to
                     this
                     Covenant
                     .
                     It
                     is
                     not
                     built
                     upon
                     Works
                     ,
                     but
                     Grace
                     :
                     
                       Therefore
                       it
                       is
                       of
                       faith
                    
                     ,
                     
                     
                       that
                       it
                       might
                       be
                       by
                       grace
                       ;
                       to
                       the
                       end
                       the
                       promise
                       might
                       be
                       sure
                       to
                       all
                       the
                       seed
                       .
                    
                     This
                     Covenant
                     is
                     not
                     founded
                     as
                     the
                     first
                     was
                     ,
                     upon
                     the
                     variable
                     and
                     inconstant
                     obedience
                     of
                     man
                     ,
                     but
                     upon
                     Grace
                     which
                     is
                     a
                     steady
                     and
                     firm
                     foundation
                     .
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     The
                     suretiship
                     of
                     Christ
                     gives
                     everlasting
                     stability
                     to
                     this
                     Covenant
                     .
                     Heb.
                     7.22
                     .
                     
                       He
                       was
                       made
                       the
                       surety
                       of
                       a
                       better
                       Testament
                       ,
                    
                     or
                     
                     Covenant
                     :
                     
                     for
                     
                       〈◊〉
                       〈◊〉
                       〈◊〉
                       〈◊〉
                       〈◊〉
                    
                     ,
                     signifies
                     both
                     ,
                     he
                     struck
                     hands
                     ,
                     or
                     engaged
                     himself
                     for
                     the
                     whole
                     Covenant
                     ,
                     and
                     every
                     condition
                     in
                     it
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     both
                     on
                     Gods
                     part
                     and
                     ours
                     ;
                     to
                     undergo
                     all
                     our
                     punishments
                     ,
                     to
                     pay
                     all
                     our
                     debts
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     work
                     in
                     us
                     all
                     that
                     God
                     required
                     of
                     us
                     in
                     the
                     Covenant
                     of
                     Grace
                     :
                     and
                     all
                     this
                     under
                     the
                     penalty
                     that
                     lay
                     upon
                     us
                     to
                     have
                     undergone
                     .
                     And
                     this
                     not
                     as
                     other
                     Sureties
                     ,
                     who
                     enter
                     into
                     one
                     and
                     the
                     same
                     Bond
                     with
                     the
                     principal
                     ,
                     so
                     that
                     the
                     Creditor
                     may
                     come
                     upon
                     which
                     he
                     will
                     ;
                     but
                     he
                     lays
                     all
                     upon
                     Christ
                     ,
                     and
                     relies
                     wholly
                     upon
                     him
                     for
                     satisfaction
                     ,
                     knowing
                     he
                     was
                     able
                     to
                     perform
                     it
                     ;
                     and
                     so
                     under
                     the
                     Type
                     of
                     Gods
                     Covenant
                     with
                     David
                     ,
                     Christ
                     is
                     brought
                     in
                     ,
                     Psal.
                     89.19
                     .
                     
                       Thou
                       spakest
                       in
                       vision
                       to
                       thy
                       holy
                       one
                       ,
                       and
                       saidst
                       ,
                       I
                       have
                       laid
                       help
                       on
                       one
                       who
                       is
                       mighty
                       .
                       Q.
                       d.
                    
                     I
                     know
                     thy
                     ability
                     ,
                     my
                     Son
                     ,
                     thou
                     art
                     able
                     to
                     pay
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     therefore
                     lay
                     all
                     upon
                     thee
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 It
                 follows
                 strongly
                 from
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 vertue
                 of
                 
                 the
                 Covenant
                 decays
                 not
                 by
                 time
                 ,
                 as
                 other
                 things
                 do
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 at
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 potent
                 and
                 efficacious
                 a
                 Relief
                 to
                 all
                 Gods
                 People
                 ,
                 as
                 ever
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 David
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 Believers
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 Ages
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 if
                 so
                 ,
                 certainly
                 nothing
                 can
                 be
                 more
                 strongly
                 supporting
                 ,
                 or
                 sweetly
                 relieving
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 changeable
                 World
                 ,
                 than
                 this
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 an
                 everlasting
                 Covenant
                 .
                 What
                 David
                 speaks
                 of
                 the
                 natural
                 Heavens
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 true
                 ,
                 of
                 things
                 over-spread
                 and
                 covered
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 
                 
                   They
                   shall
                   perish
                   ,
                   but
                   thou
                   shalt
                   endure
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   of
                   them
                   shall
                   wax
                   old
                   like
                   a
                   garment
                   :
                   and
                   as
                   a
                   vesture
                   shalt
                   thou
                   change
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   changed
                   .
                   But
                   thou
                   art
                   the
                   same
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   years
                   shall
                   have
                   no
                   end
                   .
                
                 The
                 Creature
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 not
                 ;
                 but
                 my
                 Covenant
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 ;
                 his
                 name
                 is
                 
                   I
                   Am
                
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Covenant
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 that
                 ever
                 it
                 was
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 second
                 Property
                 or
                 Ingredient
                 of
                 this
                 compleat
                 Remedy
                 to
                 the
                 Saints
                 Afflictions
                 .
                 The
                 Covenant
                 hath
                 not
                 
                 only
                 all
                 Power
                 ,
                 Vertue
                 ,
                 and
                 Efficacy
                 in
                 it self
                 to
                 relieve
                 a
                 distressed
                 Christian
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 hath
                 it
                 in
                 all
                 Ages
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 for
                 one
                 as
                 for
                 another
                 .
                 The
                 third
                 and
                 last
                 follows
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
              
            
             
               
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 
                   sure
                   Covenant
                
                 .
                 So
                 David
                 stiles
                 it
                 in
                 my
                 Text.
                 The
                 certainty
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 comfort
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 certainty
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 it self
                 is
                 past
                 all
                 doubt
                 ,
                 by
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 before
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 certain
                 God
                 did
                 make
                 such
                 an
                 everlasting
                 Covenant
                 with
                 his
                 People
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 must
                 remain
                 an
                 eternal
                 Truth
                 ,
                 that
                 such
                 a
                 Covenant
                 there
                 is
                 betwixt
                 God
                 and
                 them
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 as
                 impossible
                 that
                 this
                 everlasting
                 Covenant
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 made
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 impossible
                 for
                 God
                 to
                 lye
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 6.18
                 .
                 If
                 he
                 might
                 make
                 himself
                 not
                 have
                 covenanted
                 ,
                 everlastingly
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 
                 he
                 had
                 so
                 covenanted
                 ,
                 such
                 a
                 supposition
                 would
                 turn
                 up
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 all
                 Faith
                 and
                 Certainty
                 ,
                 and
                 overthrow
                 the
                 Apostles
                 consequence
                 on
                 which
                 the
                 Faith
                 and
                 Comfort
                 of
                 Believers
                 is
                 built
                 .
                 Nor
                 is
                 it
                 any
                 infringement
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 power
                 ,
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 God
                 himself
                 cannot
                 do
                 that
                 which
                 implies
                 a
                 plain
                 contradiction
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   factum
                   infectum
                   reddere
                
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 done
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 of
                 this
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 doubt
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 sure
                 Covenant
                 in
                 it self
                 :
                 That
                 which
                 makes
                 to
                 my
                 purpose
                 here
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 prove
                 it
                 capable
                 of
                 a
                 personal
                 security
                 and
                 certainty
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 David
                 had
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Federates
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 he
                 ,
                 may
                 have
                 a
                 subjective
                 or
                 personal
                 certainty
                 also
                 .
                 He
                 speaks
                 categorically
                 and
                 positively
                 in
                 the
                 Text
                 ,
                 
                   Yet
                   hath
                   he
                   made
                   [
                   with
                   me
                   ]
                   an
                   everlasting
                   Covenant
                   .
                
              
               
                 Object
                 .
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 said
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 a
                 personal
                 certainty
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 was
                 revealed
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 way
                 by
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Nathan
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 7.12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 and
                 
                 
                   extraordinaria
                   non
                   currunt
                   in
                   exemplum
                
                 ,
                 this
                 was
                 a
                 peculiar
                 favour
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 expect
                 .
              
               
                 Sol.
                 I
                 reply
                 ,
                 And
                 why
                 may
                 not
                 we
                 know
                 it
                 with
                 as
                 full
                 a
                 certainty
                 to
                 whom
                 God
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 known
                 in
                 his
                 ordinary
                 way
                 ?
                 Think
                 you
                 his
                 Word
                 and
                 Spirit
                 cannot
                 ratifie
                 it
                 as
                 fully
                 and
                 firmly
                 to
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 as
                 
                 Nathan's
                 discovery
                 of
                 it
                 did
                 to
                 
                 David's
                 soul
                 ?
                 God
                 give
                 me
                 but
                 such
                 a
                 Seal
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 his
                 ordinary
                 method
                 and
                 way
                 of
                 confirmation
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 desire
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 him
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 for
                 my
                 relief
                 and
                 comfort
                 ,
                 whatever
                 Afflictions
                 it
                 shall
                 please
                 him
                 to
                 lay
                 upon
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 thus
                 you
                 see
                 all
                 the
                 Properties
                 of
                 a
                 compleat
                 Remedy
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 it
                 every
                 Believer
                 may
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   is
                   all
                   my
                   salvation
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   my
                   desire
                   ,
                   though
                   he
                   make
                   not
                   my
                   house
                   to
                   grow
                   .
                
                 And
                 now
                 what
                 hinders
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 all
                 Gods
                 afflicted
                 should
                 say
                 from
                 henceforth
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Return
                   unto
                   thy
                   rest
                   ,
                   O
                   my
                   soul
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   dealt
                   bountifully
                   with
                   thee
                   .
                
                 I
                 have
                 all
                 the
                 desires
                 
                 of
                 my
                 heart
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 take
                 away
                 the
                 desire
                 of
                 mine
                 eyes
                 upon
                 earth
                 with
                 his
                 stroke
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 Covenant
                 my
                 soul
                 is
                 at
                 rest
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 very
                 heart
                 is
                 centred
                 .
                 No
                 Affliction
                 can
                 be
                 great
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 Consolations
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 seem
                 small
                 in
                 mine
                 eyes
                 .
                 Worldly
                 sorrows
                 may
                 swallow
                 up
                 worldly
                 comforts
                 ,
                 but
                 no
                 sorrows
                 upon
                 Earth
                 can
                 swallow
                 up
                 the
                 consolations
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 know
                 many
                 Christians
                 droop
                 and
                 are
                 dejected
                 under
                 the
                 Rod
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 such
                 soveraign
                 Cordials
                 are
                 prepared
                 for
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 Efficacy
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 Faith
                 to
                 clear
                 their
                 interest
                 ,
                 and
                 draw
                 forth
                 the
                 vertue
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 their
                 relief
                 .
                 Some
                 are
                 ignorant
                 of
                 their
                 priviledges
                 ,
                 and
                 others
                 disfident
                 about
                 their
                 interest
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 with
                 many
                 of
                 Gods
                 Children
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 our
                 Children
                 in
                 their
                 infancy
                 ,
                 they
                 know
                 not
                 their
                 Father
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 Inheritance
                 they
                 are
                 bo●n
                 unto
                 .
              
               
               
                 That
                 which
                 remains
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 improvement
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 to
                 our
                 actual
                 comfort
                 and
                 relief
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 trouble
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 I
                 shall
                 assist
                 you
                 in
                 as
                 God
                 shall
                 assist
                 me
                 ,
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Information
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Exhortation
                     .
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     Examination
                     ,
                     and
                  
                   
                     4.
                     
                     Consolation
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 VSE
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 For
                 information
                 ,
                 in
                 three
                 Corolaries
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Corolary
                   I.
                   
                
                 
                   By
                   what
                   hath
                   been
                   discoursed
                   from
                   this
                   Text
                   ,
                   it
                   appears
                   ,
                   
                     That
                     God
                     governs
                     the
                     spiritual
                     part
                     of
                     the
                     World
                     by
                     Faith
                     ,
                     and
                     not
                     by
                     Sense
                     .
                     He
                     will
                     have
                     them
                     live
                     upon
                     his
                     Covenant
                     and
                     Promises
                     ,
                     and
                     fetch
                     their
                     relief
                     and
                     comforts
                     thence
                     ,
                     under
                     all
                     their
                     sorrows
                     and
                     distresses
                     in
                     this
                     Life
                     .
                  
                
                 
                 
                   God
                   never
                   intended
                   temporal
                   things
                   for
                   his
                   Peoples
                   Portion
                   ,
                   therefore
                   from
                   them
                   they
                   must
                   not
                   expect
                   their
                   relief
                   in
                   times
                   of
                   trouble
                   .
                   He
                   will
                   have
                   us
                   read
                   his
                   love
                   to
                   us
                   by
                   things
                   within
                   us
                   ,
                   not
                   by
                   things
                   without
                   us
                   .
                   He
                   hath
                   other
                   ways
                   of
                   expressing
                   his
                   love
                   to
                   his
                   People
                   ,
                   than
                   by
                   the
                   smiles
                   of
                   his
                   Providence
                   upon
                   them
                   .
                   How
                   would
                   earthly
                   things
                   be
                   over-valued
                   and
                   idolized
                   ,
                   if
                   beside
                   their
                   conveniency
                   to
                   our
                   Bodies
                   ,
                   they
                   should
                   be
                   the
                   marks
                   and
                   evidences
                   of
                   Gods
                   love
                   to
                   our
                   souls
                   !
                   A
                   Christian
                   is
                   to
                   value
                   himself
                   as
                   the
                   Merchant
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   Husbandman
                   doth
                   .
                   The
                   Merchant
                   values
                   himself
                   by
                   his
                   Bills
                   and
                   Goods
                   abroad
                   ,
                   not
                   by
                   the
                   ready
                   Cash
                   that
                   lies
                   by
                   him
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   Husbandman
                   by
                   his
                   Deeds
                   and
                   Leases
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   many
                   Acres
                   of
                   Corn
                   he
                   hath
                   in
                   the
                   ground
                   ,
                   and
                   knows
                   he
                   hath
                   a
                   good
                   Estate
                   ,
                   though
                   sometimes
                   he
                   be
                   not
                   able
                   to
                   command
                   twenty
                   shillings
                   .
                   Christian
                   ,
                   thy
                   Estate
                   also
                   lies
                   in
                   good
                   Promises
                   and
                   new
                   Covenant-securities
                   ,
                   whether
                   thou
                   
                   hast
                   more
                   or
                   less
                   of
                   earthly
                   comforts
                   in
                   thy
                   hands
                   .
                
                 
                   Every
                   Creature
                   feeds
                   according
                   to
                   its
                   nature
                   ;
                   the
                   same
                   Plant
                   affords
                   food
                   to
                   several
                   sorts
                   of
                   Creatures
                   :
                   the
                   Bee
                   feeds
                   upon
                   the
                   Flower
                   ,
                   the
                   Sheep
                   upon
                   the
                   Branch
                   ,
                   the
                   Bird
                   upon
                   the
                   Seed
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Swine
                   upon
                   the
                   Root
                   .
                   One
                   cannot
                   live
                   upon
                   what
                   the
                   other
                   doth
                   .
                   So
                   it
                   is
                   here
                   :
                   A
                   Christian
                   can
                   feed
                   upon
                   the
                   Promises
                   ,
                   and
                   make
                   a
                   sweet
                   meal
                   upon
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   which
                   the
                   carnal
                   mind
                   cannot
                   relish
                   .
                   
                     The
                     life
                     that
                     I
                     now
                     live
                     ,
                     I
                     live
                     by
                     the
                     faith
                     of
                     the
                     son
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                  
                   
                   saith
                   the
                   Apople
                   .
                
                 
                   This
                   is
                   that
                   mysterious
                   and
                   excellent
                   life
                   of
                   Faith
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Test
                   of
                   true
                   Christianity
                   ,
                   to
                   relieve
                   our selves
                   by
                   our
                   hopes
                   of
                   things
                   to
                   come
                   ,
                   against
                   present
                   Evils
                   ;
                   to
                   balance
                   the
                   sorrows
                   and
                   losses
                   of
                   this
                   life
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   promises
                   and
                   expectations
                   of
                   the
                   next
                   .
                   Thus
                   did
                   the
                   renowned
                   Believers
                   of
                   the
                   first
                   Age
                   ;
                   whenever
                   they
                   felt
                   a
                   faint
                   pang
                   or
                   qualm
                   upon
                   their
                   hearts
                   ,
                   under
                   their
                   tryals
                   and
                   sorrows
                   
                   from
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   they
                   would
                   presently
                   run
                   to
                   their
                   Cordial
                   ,
                   the
                   Promises
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   sip
                   of
                   Faith
                   from
                   that
                   Bottle
                   would
                   refresh
                   and
                   invigorate
                   their
                   souls
                   with
                   new
                   life
                   and
                   powers
                   .
                   
                   
                     We
                     faint
                     not
                     ,
                     whilst
                     we
                     look
                     not
                     at
                     the
                     things
                     which
                     are
                     seen
                     ,
                     for
                     they
                     are
                     temporal
                     ;
                     but
                     at
                     the
                     things
                     which
                     are
                     not
                     seen
                     ,
                     for
                     they
                     are
                     eternal
                     .
                  
                   And
                   truly
                   so
                   must
                   we
                   also
                   ,
                   when
                   our
                   hearts
                   are
                   faint
                   within
                   us
                   in
                   days
                   of
                   affliction
                   ,
                   or
                   our
                   Spirits
                   will
                   fail
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   shall
                   go
                   away
                   in
                   a
                   faint
                   fit
                   of
                   despondency
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Corolary
                   II.
                   
                
                 
                   
                     Learn
                     hence
                     the
                     soveraign
                     efficacy
                     of
                     the
                     word
                     ,
                     and
                     what
                     a
                     choice
                     priviledge
                     it
                     is
                     to
                     have
                     these
                     lively
                     Oracles
                     of
                     God
                     in
                     our
                     hands
                     ,
                     in
                     a
                     day
                     of
                     distress
                     and
                     trouble
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   no
                   ordinary
                   Mercy
                   to
                   be
                   born
                   in
                   a
                   Land
                   of
                   Bibles
                   and
                   Ministers
                   ;
                   to
                   have
                   these
                   choice
                   Supports
                   and
                   Reliefs
                   at
                   hand
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   
                   our
                   fainting
                   hours
                   .
                   
                   
                     This
                     is
                     my
                     comfort
                     in
                     my
                     affliction
                     ,
                     for
                     thy
                     word
                     hath
                     quickened
                     me
                     .
                  
                   It
                   was
                   no
                   small
                   Mercy
                   gained
                   by
                   the
                   Reformation
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   put
                   the
                   Oracles
                   of
                   God
                   into
                   our
                   hands
                   .
                   It
                   opened
                   a
                   Shop
                   of
                   Cordials
                   for
                   the
                   support
                   of
                   our
                   ●ouls
                   .
                   For
                   this
                   ,
                   among
                   other
                   great
                   and
                   excellent
                   uses
                   ,
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   were
                   written
                   ,
                   
                   
                     That
                     we
                     ,
                     through
                     patience
                     ,
                     and
                     comfort
                     of
                     the
                     Scriptures
                     ,
                     might
                     have
                     hope
                     .
                  
                   In
                   other
                   parts
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   it
                   is
                   a
                   sealed
                   Book
                   ;
                   bless
                   God
                   it
                   is
                   not
                   so
                   to
                   you
                   .
                   All
                   Creature-comforts
                   have
                   a
                   double
                   defect
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   neither
                   suitable
                   nor
                   durable
                   ;
                   but
                   the
                   word
                   is
                   so
                   .
                   Compare
                   the
                   Arguments
                   that
                   have
                   been
                   urged
                   from
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   with
                   such
                   as
                   these
                   .
                   It
                   's
                   in
                   vain
                   to
                   trouble
                   our selves
                   about
                   what
                   we
                   cannot
                   help
                   :
                   we
                   are
                   not
                   alone
                   in
                   trouble
                   ,
                   others
                   have
                   their
                   losses
                   and
                   afflictions
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   we
                   .
                   Alas
                   ,
                   what
                   dry
                   and
                   ineffectual
                   comforts
                   are
                   these
                   !
                   they
                   penetrate
                   not
                   the
                   heart
                   ,
                   as
                   pardon
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   peace
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   sanctification
                   of
                   troubles
                   to
                   our
                   salvation
                   do
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   And
                   no
                   less
                   is
                   the
                   Mercy
                   of
                   an
                   able
                   New
                   Testament
                   Ministry
                   ,
                   to
                   open
                   ,
                   apply
                   ,
                   and
                   inculcate
                   the
                   consolations
                   of
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   to
                   be
                   esteemed
                   .
                   It
                   is
                   no
                   common
                   favour
                   to
                   the
                   afflicted
                   soul
                   ,
                   to
                   have
                   with
                   ,
                   or
                   near
                   him
                   ,
                   an
                   
                     INTERPRETER
                     ,
                     one
                     among
                     a
                     thousand
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     to
                     shew
                     unto
                     him
                     his
                     uprightness
                     .
                  
                   O
                   England
                   ,
                   prize
                   and
                   improve
                   these
                   Mercies
                   ,
                   and
                   provoke
                   not
                   thy
                   God
                   to
                   bereave
                   thee
                   of
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                   I
                   can
                   find
                   no
                   such
                   settlement
                   made
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   and
                   Ministry
                   upon
                   any
                   place
                   or
                   People
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   God
                   may
                   remove
                   both
                   ,
                   upon
                   their
                   abuse
                   of
                   them
                   ;
                   and
                   if
                   he
                   do
                   ,
                   sad
                   will
                   the
                   case
                   of
                   such
                   a
                   People
                   be
                   ,
                   especially
                   when
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   distress
                   and
                   trouble
                   shall
                   be
                   upon
                   them
                   .
                   'T
                   is
                   sad
                   to
                   be
                   in
                   a
                   storm
                   at
                   Sea
                   ,
                   without
                   a
                   Compass
                   or
                   Pilot
                   to
                   direct
                   and
                   advise
                   the
                   distressed
                   Passengers
                   .
                   Much
                   so
                   is
                   the
                   case
                   of
                   the
                   afflicted
                   ,
                   when
                   deprived
                   of
                   the
                   Word
                   and
                   Ministry
                   .
                
                 
                   Let
                   it
                   therefore
                   be
                   your
                   care
                   to
                   hide
                   the
                   Word
                   in
                   your
                   hearts
                   ,
                   and
                   get
                   the
                   Teachings
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ;
                   
                   that
                   whatever
                   changes
                   of
                   Providence
                   be
                   upon
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   you
                   may
                   have
                   the
                   light
                   and
                   comfort
                   of
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   to
                   direct
                   and
                   chear
                   your
                   souls
                   .
                   Sanctification
                   is
                   the
                   writing
                   of
                   Gods
                   Law
                   in
                   your
                   hearts
                   ;
                   and
                   what
                   is
                   written
                   there
                   ,
                   is
                   secure
                   and
                   safe
                   .
                   The
                   Word
                   within
                   you
                   ,
                   is
                   more
                   secure
                   ,
                   sweet
                   ,
                   and
                   effectual
                   ,
                   than
                   the
                   Word
                   without
                   you
                   .
                   Ierom
                   saith
                   of
                   Nepotianus
                   ,
                   that
                   by
                   long
                   and
                   assiduous
                   meditation
                   of
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   his
                   Breast
                   was
                   at
                   last
                   become
                   the
                   Library
                   of
                   Christ.
                   O
                   that
                   the
                   Breast
                   of
                   every
                   Christian
                   were
                   so
                   too
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Corolary
                   III.
                   
                
                 
                   
                     How
                     sad
                     and
                     deplorably
                     miserable
                     is
                     their
                     condition
                     ,
                     who
                     have
                     no
                     title
                     to
                     ,
                     ●or
                     comfort
                     from
                     the
                     Covenant
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     when
                     a
                     day
                     of
                     affliction
                     and
                     great
                     ●istress
                     is
                     upon
                     them
                     !
                  
                
                 
                   Unrelieved
                   Miseries
                   are
                   the
                   ●ost
                   intolerable
                   Miseries
                   .
                   To
                   be
                   
                   over-weighed
                   with
                   troubles
                   o●
                   Earth
                   ,
                   and
                   want
                   support
                   and
                   com●fort
                   from
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   dism●●
                   state
                   indeed
                   ;
                   yet
                   this
                   is
                   the
                   ca●●
                   of
                   multitudes
                   in
                   the
                   World.
                   If
                   ●
                   Believer
                   be
                   in
                   trouble
                   ,
                   his
                   God
                   bears
                   his
                   burden
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   he
                   bears
                   up
                   him
                   and
                   his
                   burden
                   too
                   but
                   he
                   that
                   hath
                   no
                   Covenant
                   i●●terest
                   in
                   God
                   ,
                   must
                   say
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   Jer.
                   10.19
                   .
                   
                     This
                     is
                     my
                     affliction
                     ,
                     an●
                     I
                     alone
                     must
                     bear
                     it
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   There
                   are
                   but
                   two
                   ways
                   the●
                   can
                   take
                   for
                   relief
                   ,
                   either
                   to
                   di●vert
                   their
                   troubles
                   by
                   that
                   whi●●
                   will
                   inflame
                   them
                   ,
                   or
                   rest
                   their
                   burthened
                   Spirits
                   upon
                   that
                   which
                   will
                   fail
                   them
                   .
                   To
                   run
                   to
                   the
                   Tavern
                   or
                   Ale-house
                   ,
                   instead
                   of
                   the
                   Closet
                   ,
                   is
                   to
                   quench
                   the
                   fire
                   ,
                   by
                   pouring
                   on
                   Oyl
                   ;
                   and
                   to
                   run
                   from
                   one
                   Creature
                   which
                   is
                   smitten
                   and
                   withered
                   ,
                   to
                   another
                   which
                   yet
                   continues
                   with
                   us
                   ,
                   is
                   to
                   lean
                   upon
                   a
                   broken
                   Reed
                   ,
                   which
                   not
                   only
                   deceives
                   us
                   ,
                   but
                   wounds
                   and
                   pierceth
                   us
                   .
                   What
                   a
                   miserable
                   plight
                   was
                   Saul
                   in
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   doleful
                   was
                   his
                   cry
                   and
                   complaint
                   to
                   
                   ●amuel
                   ,
                   1
                   Sam.
                   28.15
                   .
                   
                     I
                     am
                     sore
                     ●istressed
                     ,
                     for
                     the
                     Philistins
                     make
                     war
                     ●gainst
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     God
                     is
                     departed
                     from
                     ●e
                     ,
                     and
                     answereth
                     me
                     no
                     more
                     .
                  
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   forsook
                   him
                   at
                   once
                   .
                
                 
                   Reader
                   ,
                   if
                   this
                   be
                   thy
                   case
                   ,
                   I
                   advise
                   thee
                   to
                   rest
                   no
                   longer
                   in
                   so
                   miserable
                   a
                   condition
                   .
                   Thy
                   very
                   distress
                   seems
                   by
                   an
                   happy
                   necessi●y
                   to
                   put
                   thee
                   upon
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   drive
                   thee
                   to
                   him
                   for
                   refuge
                   :
                   And
                   ●●
                   seems
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   very
                   aim
                   and
                   design
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   blasting
                   all
                   thy
                   earthly
                   comforts
                   ,
                   to
                   necessitate
                   thee
                   to
                   come
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   which
                   thou
                   wouldst
                   never
                   be
                   perswaded
                   to
                   do
                   ,
                   whilst
                   thou
                   hadst
                   any
                   Creature-prop
                   to
                   stay
                   and
                   rest
                   upon
                   .
                   And
                   think
                   not
                   that
                   thou
                   shalt
                   be
                   rejected
                   ,
                   because
                   thou
                   art
                   brought
                   by
                   a
                   plain
                   necessity
                   to
                   him
                   ;
                   come
                   sincerely
                   ,
                   and
                   thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   be
                   upbraided
                   ,
                   because
                   a
                   necessity
                   threw
                   thee
                   upon
                   him
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 VSE
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 Seeing
                 then
                 that
                 the
                 Covena●●
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 relief
                 and
                 su●●port
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 afflicted
                 people
                 ,
                 I●
                 the
                 afflicted
                 soul
                 go
                 to
                 this
                 blesse●
                 Covenant
                 ;
                 study
                 and
                 apply
                 it
                 i●
                 all
                 distresses
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 in
                 it self
                 a
                 s●
                 veraign
                 Cordial
                 ,
                 able
                 to
                 revive
                 ●
                 gracious
                 Spirit
                 at
                 the
                 lowest
                 ebb●
                 but
                 then
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 studied
                 an●
                 applied
                 ,
                 or
                 it
                 will
                 never
                 give
                 fort●●
                 its
                 consolations
                 to
                 our
                 refreshment●
                 Extream
                 sorrows
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 deafen●
                 our
                 Ears
                 to
                 all
                 voices
                 of
                 comfort●
                 The
                 loud
                 cries
                 of
                 Affliction
                 too
                 often
                 drown
                 the
                 sweet
                 still
                 voice
                 of
                 spiritual
                 Consolation
                 ;
                 but
                 either
                 here
                 or
                 no-where
                 our
                 redress
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 .
                 Why
                 seek
                 we
                 the
                 living
                 among
                 the
                 dead
                 ?
                 comfort
                 from
                 things
                 that
                 cannot
                 yield
                 it
                 ?
                 The
                 Covenant
                 can
                 discover
                 two
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 pacifie
                 the
                 most
                 discomposed
                 heart
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
                 
                   
                   
                     1.
                     
                     The
                     good
                     of
                     Affliction
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     The
                     end
                     of
                     Affliction
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 will
                 discover
                 to
                 us
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 rectifie
                 our
                 mistaken
                 judgments
                 about
                 it
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 undoing
                 ,
                 but
                 consulting
                 our
                 interest
                 and
                 happiness
                 in
                 all
                 these
                 dispensations
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 satisfie
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 he
                 doth
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 what
                 we
                 our selves
                 allow
                 and
                 approve
                 in
                 other
                 cases
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 meerly
                 from
                 his
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 our
                 profit
                 ,
                 that
                 these
                 breaches
                 are
                 made
                 upon
                 our
                 Families
                 ,
                 and
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.10
                 .
                 Who
                 blames
                 the
                 Marriner
                 for
                 casting
                 the
                 Goods
                 over
                 board
                 to
                 save
                 Ship
                 and
                 life
                 in
                 a
                 storm
                 ?
                 or
                 the
                 Chirurgeon
                 for
                 lancing
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 or
                 cutting
                 off
                 a
                 Leg
                 or
                 Arm
                 to
                 preserve
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 his
                 Patient
                 ?
                 or
                 Souldiers
                 for
                 burning
                 or
                 beating
                 down
                 the
                 Suburbs
                 ,
                 to
                 save
                 the
                 City
                 in
                 a
                 siege
                 ?
                 And
                 why
                 must
                 God
                 only
                 be
                 censured
                 ,
                 for
                 cutting
                 off
                 those
                 things
                 from
                 us
                 which
                 he
                 
                 knows
                 will
                 hazard
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 temptation
                 ?
                 he
                 sees
                 the
                 less●
                 have
                 of
                 entanglement
                 ,
                 the
                 m●●
                 promptness
                 and
                 fitness
                 we
                 〈◊〉
                 have
                 to
                 go
                 through
                 the
                 tryals
                 〈◊〉
                 are
                 coming
                 upon
                 us
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 comforts
                 he
                 cuts
                 off
                 from
                 〈◊〉
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 goes
                 to
                 the
                 profit
                 and
                 〈◊〉
                 vantage
                 of
                 our
                 Souls
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Here
                 you
                 gain
                 a
                 sight
                 〈◊〉
                 only
                 of
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 also
                 of
                 the
                 comfortable
                 end
                 〈◊〉
                 issue
                 of
                 Affliction
                 .
                 This
                 clou●
                 and
                 stormy
                 morning
                 will
                 wind
                 〈◊〉
                 in
                 a
                 serene
                 and
                 pleasant
                 evenin●
                 There
                 's
                 a
                 vast
                 difference
                 betw●●
                 our
                 meeting
                 with
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 our
                 parting
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 
                 
                   You
                   ha●●
                   heard
                   of
                   the
                   patience
                   of
                   Iob
                   ,
                   and
                   〈◊〉
                   seen
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 O
                 get
                 〈◊〉
                 
                 Iob's
                 Spirit
                 under
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 an●
                 you
                 may
                 see
                 as
                 happy
                 an
                 end
                 〈◊〉
                 them
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 .
              
               
                 Had
                 Naomy
                 seen
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 〈◊〉
                 Lord
                 in
                 taking
                 away
                 her
                 Husband
                 and
                 starving
                 her
                 out
                 of
                 Moab
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 changed
                 her
                 name
                 or
                 said
                 the
                 Lord
                 had
                 dealt
                 bitter
                 with
                 her
                 ,
                 in
                 grafting
                 her
                 Daughte●
                 
                 by
                 that
                 Providence
                 into
                 the
                 Noble
                 Line
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 which
                 the
                 Saviour
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 was
                 to
                 rise
                 ;
                 and
                 could
                 you
                 but
                 see
                 that
                 good
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 which
                 all
                 this
                 train
                 of
                 troubles
                 is
                 ●aid
                 ,
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 murmur
                 or
                 ●espond
                 as
                 you
                 do
                 .
              
               
                 Object
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 O
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 grievous
                 Stroke
                 ;
                 God
                 hath
                 smitten
                 ●e
                 in
                 the
                 apple
                 of
                 mine
                 Eye
                 ,
                 and
                 written
                 bitter
                 things
                 against
                 me
                 .
                 No
                 sorrow
                 is
                 like
                 my
                 sorrow
                 ;
                 't
                 is
                 a
                 mourning
                 for
                 an
                 onely
                 Son
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 lost
                 all
                 in
                 one
                 .
              
               
                 Sol.
                 1.
                 
                 You
                 can
                 never
                 lose
                 all
                 in
                 one
                 ,
                 except
                 that
                 one
                 be
                 Christ
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 being
                 yours
                 in
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 lost
                 .
                 But
                 your
                 meaning
                 is
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 lost
                 all
                 of
                 that
                 kind
                 in
                 one
                 :
                 no
                 more
                 Sons
                 to
                 build
                 up
                 your
                 House
                 ,
                 and
                 continue
                 your
                 Name
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 But
                 yet
                 Religion
                 will
                 not
                 allow
                 you
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 dead
                 Children
                 are
                 a
                 lost
                 Generation
                 .
                 
                   Praemittuntur
                   ,
                   non
                   amittuntur
                
                 :
                 They
                 are
                 sent
                 before
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 lost
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 are
                 a
                 Covenant-seed
                 ,
                 by
                 you
                 dedicated
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 They
                 
                 were
                 Children
                 of
                 many
                 Prayers
                 a
                 great
                 stock
                 of
                 Prayers
                 was
                 lai●
                 up
                 for
                 them
                 ;
                 in
                 them
                 also
                 yo●
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 knew
                 them
                 ,
                 discerne●
                 a
                 teachable
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 pious
                 inclina●tions
                 ,
                 and
                 Conscience
                 of
                 secret
                 du●ties
                 ,
                 some
                 good
                 things
                 toward
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 sai●
                 of
                 young
                 Abijah
                 ,
                 1
                 King.
                 14
                 .
                 1●
                 So
                 that
                 you
                 parted
                 from
                 them
                 u●
                 on
                 far
                 easier
                 terms
                 than
                 good
                 D●●vid
                 parted
                 from
                 his
                 
                   Amnon
                   ,
                   Abs●●lom
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Adonijah
                 ,
                 who
                 died
                 in
                 the●●
                 sins
                 and
                 open
                 rebellions
                 .
                 Ther●
                 was
                 a
                 sting
                 in
                 his
                 troubles
                 whic●
                 you
                 feel
                 not
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 comforte
                 himself
                 notwithstanding
                 in
                 th●
                 Covenant
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 r●●spect
                 may
                 you
                 much
                 more
                 .
              
               
                 Object
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 O
                 but
                 my
                 Son
                 w●
                 cut
                 off
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 Bud
                 ,
                 just
                 wh●●
                 the
                 Fruits
                 of
                 Education
                 were
                 re●●dy
                 to
                 disclose
                 and
                 open
                 .
              
               
                 Sol.
                 Let
                 not
                 that
                 consideratio●
                 so
                 incense
                 your
                 sorrows
                 :
                 Go●
                 knows
                 the
                 fittest
                 time
                 both
                 to
                 giv●
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 our
                 comforts
                 ;
                 an●
                 seeing
                 you
                 have
                 good
                 grounds
                 〈◊〉
                 hope
                 your
                 Child
                 died
                 interest●●
                 
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 the
                 less
                 reason
                 to
                 insist
                 upon
                 that
                 afflicting
                 circumstance
                 of
                 an
                 immature
                 death
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 dies
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 hath
                 lived
                 long
                 enough
                 both
                 for
                 himself
                 and
                 us
                 .
                 That
                 Marriner
                 hath
                 sailed
                 long
                 enough
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 gained
                 his
                 Port
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 Souldier
                 fought
                 long
                 enough
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 won
                 the
                 Victory
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 Child
                 lived
                 long
                 enough
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 won
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 how
                 early
                 soever
                 he
                 died
                 .
              
               
                 Beside
                 ,
                 the
                 sooner
                 he
                 died
                 ,
                 the
                 less
                 sin
                 he
                 hath
                 committed
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 less
                 misery
                 he
                 saw
                 and
                 felt
                 in
                 this
                 wretched
                 World
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 left
                 to
                 behold
                 and
                 feel
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 vanity
                 to
                 imagine
                 that
                 the
                 parting
                 pull
                 with
                 him
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 easier
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 had
                 been
                 longer
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 long
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 desirable
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 use
                 to
                 weaken
                 ,
                 but
                 abundantly
                 to
                 strengthen
                 and
                 fasten
                 the
                 tyes
                 of
                 affection
                 .
              
               
                 Submit
                 your
                 Reason
                 therefore
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 meet
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 certainly
                 chose
                 the
                 fittest
                 season
                 for
                 this
                 Affliction
                 .
              
               
               
                 O
                 but
                 ,
                 —
                 No
                 more
                 Buts
                 and
                 Objections
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 .
                 Enough
                 hath
                 been
                 offer'd
                 from
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 your
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 silence
                 all
                 your
                 Objections
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 give
                 you
                 the
                 ease
                 and
                 pleasure
                 of
                 a
                 resigned
                 Will.
                 And
                 what
                 are
                 all
                 our
                 Buts
                 and
                 Objections
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 spurning
                 at
                 Divine
                 Soveraignty
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 thrusting
                 in
                 the
                 Affliction
                 deeper
                 into
                 your
                 own
                 hearts
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 wounded
                 but
                 too
                 deep
                 already
                 ?
              
               
                 I
                 perswade
                 you
                 not
                 to
                 put
                 off
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 regulate
                 natural
                 Affections
                 :
                 To
                 be
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 would
                 deservedly
                 rank
                 us
                 among
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 Heathens
                 ;
                 but
                 rightly
                 to
                 bound
                 and
                 manage
                 them
                 ,
                 would
                 set
                 you
                 among
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 Christians
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 cannot
                 imagine
                 what
                 ease
                 or
                 advantage
                 holy
                 Basil
                 gained
                 by
                 such
                 a
                 particular
                 and
                 heart
                 piercing
                 account
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 he
                 gave
                 of
                 a
                 like
                 Affliction
                 with
                 this
                 ;
                 nor
                 to
                 what
                 purpose
                 it
                 can
                 be
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 recal
                 and
                 recount
                 those
                 things
                 
                 which
                 only
                 incense
                 and
                 aggravate
                 your
                 troubles
                 :
                 Doubtless
                 your
                 better
                 way
                 were
                 to
                 turn
                 your
                 thoughts
                 from
                 such
                 subjects
                 as
                 these
                 ,
                 to
                 your
                 God
                 in
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 as
                 David
                 in
                 the
                 Text
                 did
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 recount
                 the
                 many
                 great
                 and
                 inestimable
                 mercies
                 that
                 are
                 secured
                 to
                 you
                 therein
                 ;
                 which
                 death
                 shall
                 never
                 smite
                 ,
                 or
                 cut
                 off
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 doth
                 your
                 other
                 enjoyments
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 yet
                 unless
                 we
                 can
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 clear
                 our
                 Covenant-interest
                 ,
                 all
                 these
                 excellent
                 Cordials
                 prepared
                 ,
                 will
                 signifie
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 our
                 relief
                 ,
                 than
                 water
                 spilt
                 upon
                 the
                 ground
                 :
                 help
                 us
                 therefore
                 to
                 do
                 that
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 all
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 is
                 in
                 vain
                 ?
                 How
                 may
                 a
                 person
                 discern
                 his
                 Covenant-right
                 and
                 interest
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 This
                 indeed
                 is
                 worthy
                 of
                 all
                 consideration
                 ,
                 and
                 deserves
                 a
                 serious
                 answer
                 ,
                 forasmuch
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 fundamental
                 to
                 your
                 comfort
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 actual
                 refreshment
                 in
                 times
                 of
                 trouble
                 ;
                 and
                 will
                 bring
                 us
                 to
                 the
                 next
                 Use
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 for
                 tryal
                 of
                 our
                 Covenant-interest
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 VSE
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 great
                 Question
                 to
                 be
                 decided
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 Whether
                 God
                 be
                 our
                 Covenant-God
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 his
                 People
                 ?
                 A
                 Question
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 solemn
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 requires
                 awful
                 attention
                 .
              
               
                 We
                 cannot
                 expect
                 satisfaction
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 by
                 such
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 way
                 as
                 David
                 had
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 may
                 know
                 it
                 by
                 ,
                 
                   
                     First
                     ,
                     Our
                     Covenant-Engagements
                     .
                  
                   
                     Secondly
                     ,
                     Our
                     Covenant-Impressions
                     .
                  
                   
                     Thirdly
                     ,
                     Our
                     Covenant-Conversations
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 By
                 our
                 Covenant-Engagements
                 ,
                 or
                 Dedications
                 of
                 our selves
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 sometimes
                 called
                 our
                 
                   joyning
                   our selves
                   to
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   Zech.
                
                 2.11
                 .
                 our
                 yielding
                 our selves
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 6.19
                 .
                 our
                 giving
                 our selves
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 8.5
                 .
                 The
                 
                 soul
                 that
                 freely
                 and
                 deliberately
                 consents
                 to
                 take
                 or
                 chuse
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 may
                 warrantably
                 conclude
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 taken
                 or
                 chosen
                 him
                 :
                 for
                 our
                 choice
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 but
                 the
                 result
                 of
                 his
                 choice
                 of
                 us
                 .
                 Joh.
                 15.16
                 .
                 
                   You
                   have
                   not
                   chosen
                   me
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   have
                   chosen
                   you
                   ;
                   (
                   i.
                   e.
                   )
                
                 you
                 could
                 never
                 have
                 chosen
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 consequence
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 my
                 first
                 choice
                 of
                 you
                 .
              
               
                 Well
                 then
                 ,
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 seriously
                 considered
                 ,
                 whether
                 you
                 have
                 duely
                 consented
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 your
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 for
                 your
                 Redeemer
                 .
                 This
                 includes
                 two
                 things
                 in
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Your
                   relinquishing
                   of
                   all
                   things
                   inconsistent
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Your
                   acceptation
                   of
                   all
                   that
                   promotes
                   the
                   glory
                   and
                   enjoyment
                   of
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Your
                 relinquishing
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 inconsistent
                 with
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 Except
                 we
                 let
                 these
                 go
                 ,
                 God
                 cannot
                 be
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 nor
                 Christ
                 our
                 Redeemer
                 .
                 The
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 relinquished
                 for
                 Christ
                 are
                 in
                 short
                 ,
                 both
                 our
                 sinful
                 and
                 our
                 
                   righteous
                   self
                
                 .
                 Sinful-self
                 must
                 be
                 disclaimed
                 and
                 renounced
                 :
                 for
                 we
                 cannot
                 be
                 the
                 Servants
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Servants
                 of
                 Christ
                 too
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 6.14.18
                 .
                 and
                 righteous
                 self
                 must
                 be
                 renounced
                 also
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 part
                 or
                 interest
                 in
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 10.3
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 two
                 difficult
                 points
                 of
                 self-denial
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 every
                 beloved
                 Lust
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 give
                 up
                 our
                 own
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 Thousands
                 chufe
                 rather
                 to
                 be
                 damned
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 do
                 either
                 of
                 these
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Your
                 acceptance
                 and
                 embracing
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 that
                 promote
                 his
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 further
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 As
                 all
                 the
                 painful
                 ways
                 of
                 duty
                 ,
                 hearing
                 ,
                 praying
                 ,
                 meditating
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 this
                 with
                 the
                 intention
                 of
                 the
                 inner
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 offering
                 up
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 these
                 duties
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 painful
                 ways
                 of
                 suffering
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 enduring
                 all
                 losses
                 ,
                 reproaches
                 ,
                 torments
                 ,
                 and
                 death
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 if
                 
                 his
                 glory
                 require
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 be
                 thereunto
                 called
                 .
                 All
                 this
                 is
                 included
                 in
                 your
                 chusing
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 your
                 God.
                 And
                 upon
                 our
                 understanding
                 ,
                 and
                 free
                 consent
                 ,
                 and
                 sealing
                 to
                 these
                 Articles
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 right
                 to
                 call
                 him
                 our
                 God.
                 Mat.
                 16.24
                 .
                 
                   If
                   any
                   man
                   will
                   come
                   after
                   me
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   deny
                   himself
                   ,
                   and
                   take
                   up
                   his
                   cross
                   and
                   follow
                   me
                   .
                
                 Now
                 have
                 you
                 considered
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 weighed
                 and
                 balanced
                 all
                 the
                 conveniencies
                 and
                 inconveniencies
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 determined
                 for
                 Christ
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 cost
                 be
                 what
                 it
                 will
                 ;
                 then
                 you
                 have
                 chosen
                 him
                 aright
                 for
                 your
                 God.
                 Many
                 think
                 they
                 have
                 chosen
                 God
                 for
                 their
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 never
                 understood
                 or
                 deliberated
                 these
                 terms
                 .
                 But
                 
                   Non
                   consentit
                   ,
                   qui
                   non
                   sentit
                   :
                
                 He
                 that
                 neither
                 knows
                 nor
                 ponders
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 capable
                 of
                 giving
                 a
                 due
                 consent
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 We
                 may
                 discern
                 our
                 Covenant-Interest
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant-Impressions
                 that
                 are
                 made
                 upon
                 our
                 souls
                 .
                 All
                 Gods
                 Covenant
                 People
                 have
                 a
                 double
                 mark
                 
                 or
                 impression
                 made
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Upon
                     their
                     Minds
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Upon
                     their
                     Hearts
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Upon
                 their
                 Minds
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 more
                 spiritual
                 and
                 efficacious
                 knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 Jer.
                 31.33
                 .
                 
                   They
                   shall
                   all
                   know
                   me
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   greatest
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   even
                   to
                   the
                   least
                   of
                   them
                   .
                
                 This
                 knowledge
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 given
                 ,
                 not
                 acquired
                 by
                 the
                 meer
                 strength
                 of
                 natural
                 Abilities
                 and
                 humane
                 Aids
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   given
                   us
                   in
                   the
                   face
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 not
                 by
                 the
                 foot-steps
                 of
                 the
                 Creatures
                 only
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 speaks
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 4.6
                 .
                 't
                 is
                 the
                 choice
                 teaching
                 of
                 the
                 anointing
                 ,
                 1
                 Ioh.
                 2.27
                 .
                 a
                 knowledge
                 springing
                 from
                 inward
                 experience
                 ,
                 and
                 spiritual
                 sense
                 ;
                 as
                 we
                 know
                 the
                 sweetness
                 of
                 Honey
                 by
                 tasting
                 ,
                 better
                 than
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 descriptions
                 and
                 reports
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 made
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Upon
                 their
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 gracious
                 tenderness
                 and
                 meltings
                 of
                 it
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 discoveries
                 of
                 Free
                 Grace
                 in
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                 So
                 you
                 read
                 in
                 Ezek.
                 36.26
                 .
                 
                   A
                   new
                   heart
                   also
                   will
                   I
                   give
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   new
                   spirit
                   will
                   I
                   put
                   within
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   take
                   away
                   the
                   stony
                   heart
                   out
                   of
                   your
                   flesh
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   you
                   an
                   heart
                   of
                   flesh
                   .
                
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 as
                 easie
                 to
                 melt
                 the
                 obdurate
                 Rocks
                 into
                 sweet
                 Syrup
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 melt
                 the
                 natural
                 heart
                 into
                 a
                 penitential
                 and
                 tender
                 melting
                 for
                 sin
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 principle
                 or
                 habit
                 of
                 tenderness
                 implanted
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 whereby
                 it
                 is
                 disposed
                 and
                 inclined
                 to
                 relent
                 and
                 thaw
                 ingenuously
                 upon
                 any
                 just
                 occasion
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Our
                 Covenant-Interest
                 may
                 be
                 evidenced
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 our
                 Covenant
                 -
                 Conversations
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 knowledge
                 which
                 is
                 communicated
                 to
                 our
                 Minds
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 tenderness
                 given
                 to
                 our
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 do
                 respect
                 and
                 tend
                 to
                 this
                 :
                 Ezek.
                 36.27
                 .
                 
                   I
                   will
                   put
                   my
                   spirit
                   within
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   cause
                   you
                   to
                   walk
                   in
                   my
                   statutes
                   .
                
                 Habits
                 and
                 Principles
                 are
                 for
                 action
                 and
                 practice
                 :
                 Grace
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 for
                 Obedience
                 and
                 Holiness
                 in
                 the
                 life
                 .
              
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 our
                 Graces
                 are
                 imperfect
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 our
                 Obedience
                 also
                 .
                 Perfect
                 working
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 from
                 imperfect
                 Creatures
                 .
                 God's
                 own
                 Covenanted
                 People
                 do
                 often
                 grieve
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 provoke
                 him
                 to
                 bring
                 them
                 under
                 the
                 Rod
                 of
                 Affliction
                 ;
                 but
                 those
                 their
                 Infirmities
                 break
                 not
                 the
                 Bond
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 89.30
                 ,
                 31
                 ,
                 32.
                 
                 Care
                 and
                 Watchfulness
                 ordinarily
                 goes
                 before
                 them
                 ,
                 Conflicts
                 and
                 Resistance
                 accompanies
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 Shame
                 ,
                 Grief
                 ,
                 and
                 renewed
                 Care
                 usually
                 follows
                 them
                 .
                 2
                 Cor.
                 7.11
                 .
                 By
                 these
                 things
                 (
                 which
                 deserve
                 a
                 more
                 copious
                 discourse
                 than
                 my
                 present
                 design
                 can
                 allow
                 )
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 helped
                 to
                 clear
                 our
                 interest
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 being
                 done
                 ,
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Afflictions
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 sink
                 your
                 Spirits
                 .
                 Let
                 me
                 therefore
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 place
                 add
                 ,
              
            
             
               
               
                 VSE
                 IV.
                 
              
               
                 A
                 word
                 of
                 Consolation
                 to
                 your
                 dejected
                 and
                 drooping
                 hearts
                 ,
                 upon
                 this
                 sad
                 and
                 mournful
                 occasion
                 .
                 Why
                 are
                 you
                 so
                 troubled
                 ?
                 and
                 why
                 do
                 Thoughts
                 arise
                 in
                 your
                 Hearts
                 ?
                 Methinks
                 there
                 hath
                 been
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 Support
                 and
                 Comfort
                 already
                 discovered
                 to
                 you
                 in
                 this
                 blessed
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 that
                 could
                 your
                 Faith
                 but
                 once
                 fix
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 realize
                 and
                 apply
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 might
                 lay
                 down
                 my
                 Pen
                 at
                 this
                 period
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 the
                 Work
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 there
                 needs
                 no
                 more
                 ;
                 but
                 knowing
                 how
                 obstinate
                 deep
                 sorrows
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 difficult
                 a
                 Task
                 the
                 comforting
                 of
                 an
                 afflicted
                 mind
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 for
                 a
                 close
                 ,
                 superadd
                 a
                 few
                 Considerations
                 more
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 urged
                 and
                 argued
                 before
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 Consideration
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 
                 Consider
                 how
                 small
                 and
                 trivial
                 the
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 whose
                 loss
                 you
                 bewail
                 ,
                 are
                 in
                 comparison
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 still
                 your
                 own
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 Bond
                 of
                 a
                 sure
                 Covenant
                 .
                 A
                 Son
                 ,
                 an
                 only
                 and
                 a
                 promising
                 Son
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 thing
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 stands
                 in
                 comparison
                 with
                 other
                 Creature-comforts
                 ;
                 but
                 surely
                 he
                 will
                 seem
                 a
                 small
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 next
                 to
                 nothing
                 ,
                 when
                 set
                 by
                 ,
                 or
                 compared
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Behold
                 ,
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 Spirit
                 !
                 Pardon
                 and
                 eternal
                 salvation
                 are
                 this
                 day
                 presented
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 before
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 as
                 your
                 own
                 .
                 
                   God
                   ,
                   even
                   our
                   own
                   God
                   shall
                   bless
                   us
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 67.6
                 .
                 When
                 you
                 feel
                 your
                 hearts
                 wounded
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 thought
                 as
                 this
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 embrace
                 my
                 Children
                 in
                 my
                 arms
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 now
                 out
                 of
                 my
                 reach
                 ;
                 then
                 bless
                 and
                 admire
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 your
                 Faith
                 can
                 embrace
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 so
                 glorious
                 
                 a
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 can
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   beloved
                   is
                   mine
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   am
                   his
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 Consideration
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 Consider
                 what
                 evil
                 days
                 are
                 coming
                 on
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 what
                 a
                 mercy
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 your
                 dead
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 taken
                 them
                 away
                 from
                 the
                 evil
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 Isai.
                 57.1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 There
                 are
                 two
                 sorts
                 of
                 Evils
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 viz.
                 Evils
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 and
                 Evils
                 of
                 Suffering
                 ;
                 and
                 't
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 favour
                 to
                 be
                 set
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 both
                 .
                 The
                 Grave
                 is
                 the
                 hiding-place
                 where
                 God
                 secures
                 some
                 from
                 the
                 dangers
                 of
                 both
                 .
              
               
                 We
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 promise
                 our selves
                 times
                 of
                 Tranquility
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 it
                 cuts
                 us
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 our
                 dear
                 Ones
                 shall
                 not
                 partake
                 with
                 us
                 in
                 that
                 Felicity
                 :
                 but
                 if
                 we
                 wisely
                 consider
                 the
                 sins
                 or
                 the
                 signes
                 of
                 the
                 times
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 more
                 cause
                 to
                 rejoyce
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 set
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 harms
                 way
                 .
              
               
               
                 All
                 things
                 seem
                 to
                 conspire
                 and
                 work
                 towards
                 a
                 day
                 of
                 great
                 Temptation
                 and
                 Tribulation
                 .
                 Now
                 as
                 Christ
                 told
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 so
                 dejected
                 because
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 leave
                 them
                 ,
                 Ioh.
                 14.28
                 .
                 
                   If
                   ye
                   loved
                   me
                   ,
                   ye
                   would
                   rejoyce
                   ,
                   because
                   I
                   said
                   ,
                   I
                   go
                   to
                   the
                   Father
                   :
                
                 so
                 truly
                 you
                 would
                 much
                 better
                 express
                 and
                 manifest
                 your
                 love
                 to
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 in
                 your
                 satisfaction
                 in
                 the
                 will
                 and
                 appointment
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 taking
                 them
                 into
                 rest
                 and
                 safety
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 your
                 dejections
                 and
                 sorrows
                 for
                 their
                 removal
                 .
                 Surely
                 they
                 are
                 better
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 than
                 where
                 they
                 were
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 housed
                 in
                 Heaven
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 storm
                 and
                 tempest
                 .
                 And
                 could
                 your
                 dead
                 Friends
                 that
                 are
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 have
                 any
                 more
                 intercourse
                 with
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 your
                 tears
                 ,
                 and
                 hear
                 your
                 sighs
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 say
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 did
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 follow'd
                 him
                 wailing
                 and
                 mourning
                 ,
                 Weep
                 not
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 remain
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 and
                 feel
                 the
                 calamities
                 that
                 are
                 coming
                 on
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 Consideration
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 Consider
                 how
                 near
                 you
                 are
                 to
                 that
                 blessed
                 State
                 your selves
                 ,
                 
                 where
                 
                   God
                   shall
                   be
                   all
                   in
                   all
                   ,
                
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 feel
                 no
                 want
                 of
                 any
                 Creature-comfort
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.28
                 .
              
               
                 Creature-comforts
                 are
                 only
                 accommodated
                 comforts
                 to
                 this
                 animal
                 life
                 we
                 now
                 live
                 ,
                 but
                 shortly
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   God
                   will
                   be
                   all
                   in
                   all
                   :
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 shall
                 be
                 abundantly
                 satisfied
                 in
                 and
                 with
                 God
                 alone
                 .
                 As
                 there
                 is
                 water
                 enough
                 in
                 one
                 Sea
                 to
                 fill
                 all
                 the
                 Rivers
                 ,
                 Lakes
                 ,
                 and
                 Springs
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 and
                 Light
                 enough
                 in
                 one
                 Sun
                 to
                 enlighten
                 all
                 the
                 Inhabitants
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 so
                 there
                 is
                 enough
                 in
                 one
                 God
                 eternally
                 to
                 fill
                 and
                 satisfie
                 all
                 the
                 blessed
                 Souls
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 addition
                 of
                 any
                 Creature-comfort
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 compleat
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 absence
                 (
                 I
                 cannot
                 say
                 want
                 )
                 of
                 Wives
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 Meats
                 and
                 drinks
                 ,
                 Estates
                 and
                 sensitive
                 Pleasures
                 :
                 There
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 
                 more
                 need
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 Candles
                 at
                 Noon-day
                 .
                 You
                 shall
                 be
                 as
                 the
                 Angels
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 no
                 concernment
                 for
                 Relations
                 .
              
               
                 Your
                 fulness
                 of
                 years
                 ,
                 infirmities
                 of
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 hope
                 I
                 may
                 add
                 your
                 improvements
                 in
                 Grace
                 ,
                 speak
                 you
                 not
                 far
                 short
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 State
                 :
                 and
                 though
                 you
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 need
                 these
                 comforts
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 your
                 God
                 shall
                 supply
                 all
                 your
                 wants
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Consideration
                 IV.
                 
              
               
                 
                 To
                 conclude
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 your
                 troubles
                 ,
                 wants
                 ,
                 fears
                 ,
                 or
                 dangers
                 are
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 your
                 passage
                 to
                 this
                 blessed
                 State
                 ,
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 is
                 your
                 security
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 vertue
                 thereof
                 your
                 troubles
                 shall
                 open
                 and
                 divide
                 ,
                 as
                 Iordan
                 did
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 you
                 a
                 safe
                 passage
                 into
                 your
                 eternal
                 Rest.
                 
              
               
                 Look
                 as
                 when
                 the
                 Israelites
                 came
                 near
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 Promise
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 swelling
                 Iordan
                 betwixt
                 it
                 and
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 seemed
                 to
                 forbid
                 their
                 farther
                 passage
                 and
                 progress
                 ;
                 but
                 
                 it
                 's
                 said
                 ,
                 Iosh.
                 3.17
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Priests
                   that
                   bore
                   the
                   Ark
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   stood
                   firm
                   on
                   the
                   ground
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   Iordan
                   ;
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   Israelites
                   passed
                   over
                   on
                   dry
                   ground
                   ,
                   until
                   all
                   the
                   people
                   were
                   passed
                   clean
                   over
                   Iordan
                   .
                
                 Just
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 here
                 :
                 The
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 stands
                 on
                 firm
                 ground
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 deep
                 Waters
                 of
                 Tribulation
                 you
                 are
                 to
                 pass
                 through
                 ,
                 to
                 secure
                 unto
                 you
                 a
                 safe
                 passage
                 through
                 them
                 all
                 .
                 Rejoyce
                 therefore
                 ,
                 and
                 triumph
                 in
                 the
                 fulness
                 and
                 firmness
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 whatsoever
                 Affliction
                 your
                 God
                 shall
                 please
                 to
                 lay
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 or
                 whatsoever
                 Comfort
                 he
                 shall
                 please
                 to
                 remove
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 still
                 comfort
                 and
                 encourage
                 your selves
                 ,
                 as
                 David
                 here
                 doth
                 ,
                 
                   Yet
                   hath
                   he
                   made
                   with
                   me
                   an
                   everlasting
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   ordered
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   sure
                   :
                   for
                   this
                   is
                   all
                   my
                   salvation
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   my
                   desire
                   ;
                   although
                   he
                   make
                   it
                   not
                   to
                   grow
                   .
                
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
             
               A
               SERMON
               Preached
               for
               the
               Funeral
               OF
               THAT
               Excellent
               and
               Religious
               GENTLEMAN
               IOHN
               VPTON
               OF
               LUPTON
               ,
               
                 Esq
              
            
             
               LONDON
               :
               Printed
               for
               
                 I.
                 Harris
              
               ,
               at
               the
               Harrow
               against
               the
               Church
               in
               the
               Poultrey
               .
               1688.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               TEXT
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     2
                     Chron.
                     35.24
                     ,
                     25.
                  
                   
                
                 
                   His
                   servants
                   therefore
                   took
                   him
                   out
                   of
                   that
                   chariot
                   ,
                   and
                   put
                   him
                   in
                   the
                   second
                   chariot
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   ;
                   and
                   they
                   brought
                   him
                   to
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   died
                   ,
                   and
                   was
                   buried
                   in
                   one
                   of
                   the
                   sepulchres
                   of
                   his
                   fathers
                   :
                   and
                   all
                   Iudah
                   and
                   Ierusalem
                   mourned
                   for
                   Iosiah
                   .
                   
                     Ver.
                     25.
                  
                   
                   And
                   Ieremiah
                   lamented
                   for
                   Iosiah
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   singing
                   men
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   singing-women
                   spake
                   of
                   Iosiah
                   in
                   their
                   lamentations
                   to
                   this
                   day
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   them
                   an
                   ordinance
                   in
                   Israel
                   :
                   and
                   behold
                   they
                   are
                   written
                   in
                   the
                   Lamentations
                   .
                
              
            
             
               IN
               this
               Context
               we
               have
               the
               History
               of
               the
               
                 Pious
                 Life
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Tragical
                 Death
              
               of
               good
               King
               Iosiah
               .
               
               The
               History
               of
               his
               Life
               gives
               u●
               an
               account
               of
               both
               what
               he
               was
               ,
               and
               what
               he
               did
               .
               As
               to
               his
               Personal
               Endowments
               and
               Qualifications
               ,
               they
               were
               singular
               and
               eximious
               ,
               as
               appears
               by
               the
               fourfold
               Character
               by
               which
               he
               is
               described
               in
               the
               Context
               :
               for
               ,
               
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   He
                   espoused
                   the
                   interest
                   of
                   Religion
                   betimes
                   ,
                   even
                   in
                   his
                   Youth
                   ;
                   cap.
                   34.
                   ver
                   .
                   3.
                   
                   
                     For
                     in
                     the
                     eighth
                     year
                     of
                     his
                     reign
                     ,
                     while
                     he
                     was
                     yet
                     young
                     ,
                     he
                     began
                     to
                     seek
                     after
                     the
                     God
                     of
                     David
                     his
                     father
                     :
                  
                   And
                   that
                   under
                   the
                   great
                   disadvantage
                   of
                   an
                   ill
                   Education
                   ,
                   such
                   a
                   Morning
                   promised
                   a
                   glorious
                   Day
                   .
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   He
                   hated
                   all
                   corruptive
                   mixtures
                   in
                   the
                   Worship
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   was
                   answerably
                   zealous
                   for
                   Reformation
                   ;
                   ibid.
                   
                     And
                     in
                     the
                     twelfth
                     year
                     he
                     began
                     to
                     purge
                     Iuda●
                     and
                     Ierusalem
                     from
                     the
                     high
                     places
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     groves
                     ,
                  
                   &c.
                   as
                   knowing
                   well
                   he
                   and
                   his
                   people
                   might
                   expect
                   no
                   more
                   of
                   Gods
                   blessing
                   on
                   the
                   Ordinances
                   ,
                   than
                   there
                   was
                   of
                   his
                   presence
                   in
                   them
                   ;
                   and
                   no
                   more
                   of
                   his
                   presence
                   can
                   rationally
                   be
                   
                   expected
                   ,
                   than
                   there
                   is
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   Order
                   and
                   Institution
                   .
                
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   He
                   was
                   of
                   a
                   very
                   tender
                   impressive
                   heart
                   ,
                   mourning
                   for
                   publick
                   sins
                   and
                   dangers
                   ;
                   ver
                   .
                   26
                   ,
                   27.
                   
                   
                     Because
                     thy
                     heart
                     was
                     tender
                     ,
                     and
                     thou
                     didst
                     humble
                     thy self
                     before
                     God
                     ,
                     when
                     thou
                     heardest
                     his
                     words
                     against
                     this
                     place
                     ,
                     and
                     against
                     the
                     inhabitants
                     thereof
                     ;
                     and
                     humbledst
                     thy self
                     before
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     didst
                     rend
                     thy
                     cloaths
                     ,
                     and
                     weep
                     before
                     me
                     ,
                  
                   &c.
                   
                   He
                   was
                   not
                   so
                   intent
                   upon
                   his
                   own
                   pleasures
                   (
                   though
                   in
                   the
                   sprightly
                   vigour
                   of
                   Youth
                   )
                   nor
                   on
                   the
                   weighty
                   concerns
                   of
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   forget
                   the
                   interest
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   greater
                   concerns
                   of
                   his
                   Glory
                   .
                
                 
                   Fourthly
                   ,
                   He
                   was
                   exceeding
                   careful
                   to
                   propagate
                   the
                   interest
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   spread
                   it
                   far
                   and
                   wide
                   among
                   his
                   People
                   .
                   Though
                   he
                   could
                   not
                   infuse
                   the
                   
                     inward
                     Principle
                  
                   ,
                   (
                   that
                   was
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   God
                   )
                   yet
                   he
                   did
                   enjoyn
                   the
                   
                     external
                     practice
                  
                   of
                   it
                   upon
                   all
                   his
                   Subjects
                   ,
                   which
                   was
                   his
                   part
                   and
                   duty
                   ;
                   ver
                   .
                   33.
                   
                   
                     He
                     made
                     all
                     that
                     
                     were
                     present
                     in
                     Israel
                     to
                     serve
                     ,
                     even
                     to
                     serve
                     the
                     Lord
                     their
                     God.
                     And
                     all
                     his
                     days
                     they
                     departed
                     not
                     from
                     following
                     the
                     God
                     of
                     their
                     Fathers
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               But
               yet
               good
               Iosiah
               had
               his
               mistakes
               and
               failings
               .
               The
               best
               of
               men
               are
               but
               men
               at
               best
               ▪
               He
               was
               too
               rash
               and
               hasty
               in
               resolving
               ,
               and
               too
               stiff
               and
               obstinate
               when
               resolved
               ;
               and
               this
               was
               the
               occasion
               of
               his
               ruine
               .
               The
               case
               was
               thus
               :
            
             
               
                 Pharoah
                 Necho
              
               King
               of
               Egypt
               ,
               was
               at
               that
               time
               making
               War
               upon
               Charchemish
               ,
               a
               place
               that
               belonged
               to
               him
               ,
               but
               was
               taken
               from
               him
               by
               the
               King
               of
               Assyria
               ,
               so
               the
               War
               of
               Necho
               was
               a
               just
               War
               ;
               and
               Iudah
               lying
               between
               him
               and
               Charchemish
               ,
               and
               being
               at
               peace
               with
               Iudah
               ,
               he
               requests
               leave
               of
               Iosiah
               to
               march
               his
               Army
               peaceably
               through
               his
               Country
               to
               the
               seat
               of
               the
               War
               :
               Iosiah
               takes
               an
               Alarm
               from
               this
               Message
               ,
               and
               arms
               against
               him
               .
               Hereupon
               Necho
               send
               Embassadours
               to
               Iosiah
               ,
               chap.
               35.
               ver
               .
               21.
               
                 saying
                 ,
                 What
                 have
                 I
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 thou
                 king
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ?
                 
                 I
                 come
                 not
                 against
                 thee
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 but
                 against
                 the
                 house
                 wherewith
                 I
                 have
                 war
                 :
                 for
                 God
                 commanded
                 me
                 to
                 make
                 hast
                 :
                 forbear
                 thee
                 from
                 medling
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 destroy
                 thee
                 not
                 .
              
            
             
               Expositors
               conceive
               Necho
               had
               this
               discovery
               of
               the
               mind
               of
               God
               ,
               from
               the
               Prophet
               Ieremiah
               ,
               
               
                 Per
                 oraculum
                 non
                 scriptum
                 ,
                 sed
                 viva
                 voce
                 editum
                 :
              
               even
               by
               word
               of
               mouth
               .
               If
               so
               ,
               no
               doubt
               Ieremiah
               also
               disswaded
               Iosiah
               from
               going
               out
               against
               him
               :
               However
               ,
               this
               is
               clear
               ,
               Iosiah
               did
               not
               consult
               the
               mind
               of
               God
               about
               that
               expedition
               ,
               as
               he
               ought
               ,
               and
               was
               too
               hasty
               and
               resolute
               therein
               ;
               ver
               .
               22.
               
               
                 Nevertheless
                 Iosiah
                 would
                 not
                 turn
                 his
                 face
                 from
                 him
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               By
               this
               means
               this
               excellent
               man
               came
               to
               a
               tragical
               end
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               the
               very
               flower
               of
               his
               days
               .
               He
               dies
               in
               that
               unhappy
               Expedition
               ,
               from
               which
               he
               would
               not
               be
               diverted
               ;
               is
               brought
               home
               to
               Ierusalem
               in
               the
               second
               Chariot
               ;
               dies
               ,
               and
               is
               buried
               in
               the
               Sepulchre
               of
               his
               Fathers
               ,
               to
               the
               universal
               sorrow
               
               of
               all
               good
               men
               in
               Israel
               ,
               as
               you
               read
               in
               the
               Text
               ;
               wherein
               we
               have
               these
               two
               parts
               to
               consider
               .
            
             
               
                 I.
                 The
                 Nature
                 and
                 Quality
                 of
                 the
                 Lamentation
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 The
                 Cause
                 and
                 Ground
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               For
               the
               Lamentation
               here
               made
               ,
               it
               was
               extraordinary
               ;
               never
               such
               cries
               heard
               before
               in
               Israel
               at
               any
               Funeral
               ,
               whether
               we
               consider
               it
               either
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Extensively
                   ,
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Intensively
                   ,
                   or
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   Protensively
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               Extensively
               ,
               all
               Iudah
               and
               Ierusalem
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               City
               and
               Country
               mourned
               that
               day
               ;
               not
               every
               Individual
               ,
               but
               all
               that
               had
               any
               sense
               of
               the
               worth
               of
               the
               man
               ,
               the
               good
               that
               he
               did
               ,
               or
               the
               evils
               that
               followed
               upon
               his
               removal
               .
               No
               doubt
               the
               Priests
               of
               Baal
               ,
               their
               Abettors
               ,
               and
               Associates
               ,
               secretly
               rejoyced
               at
               his
               fall
               ;
               but
               all
               good
               
               men
               mourned
               .
               But
               among
               all
               the
               Mourners
               ,
               one
               only
               is
               specified
               by
               name
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               Ieremiah
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               in
               whom
               all
               the
               faithful
               Ministers
               of
               God
               were
               included
               .
               To
               them
               he
               was
               a
               true
               and
               faithful
               Friend
               ;
               and
               in
               him
               they
               lost
               a
               Father
               ,
               and
               a
               famous
               Instrument
               of
               Reformation
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Consider
               it
               Intensively
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               degree
               of
               the
               sorrow
               ,
               it
               was
               a
               bitter
               Lamentation
               :
               so
               pungent
               ,
               intense
               ,
               and
               deep
               ▪
               that
               the
               Mourning
               of
               the
               Iews
               for
               Christ
               ,
               at
               the
               time
               of
               their
               conversion
               to
               him
               ,
               is
               compared
               to
               this
               Mourning
               for
               
                 Iosiah
                 .
                 Zach.
              
               12.
               ver
               .
               11.
               
               
                 In
                 that
                 day
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 a
                 great
                 mourning
                 in
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 ●s
                 the
                 mourning
                 of
                 Hadadrimmon
                 in
                 the
                 valley
                 of
                 Megiddon
                 .
              
               This
               Hadadrimmon
               was
               a
               little
               Town
               in
               the
               Valley
               of
               Megiddon
               near
               the
               place
               of
               this
               fatal
               Battle
               ,
               whose
               Inhabitants
               receiving
               the
               first
               tydings
               of
               the
               fall
               of
               Iosiah
               ,
               made
               the
               Town
               ring
               with
               doleful
               Outcries
               and
               Lamentations
               .
            
             
             
               3.
               
               Lastly
               ,
               Consider
               it
               Protensively
               ,
               in
               its
               continuance
               and
               duration
               ,
               it
               was
               
                 made
                 an
                 Ordinance
                 in
                 Israel
              
               ;
               and
               accordingly
               
                 the
                 singing-men
                 and
                 singing-women
                 spake
                 of
                 Iosiah
                 in
                 their
                 lamentations
                 to
                 this
                 day
                 :
                 i.
                 e.
              
               Whenever
               any
               solemn
               Funeral
               or
               publick
               Calamity
               was
               solemniz'd
               in
               Israel
               ,
               those
               persons
               that
               were
               skilful
               in
               Lamentations
               ,
               brought
               in
               the
               story
               of
               
               Iosiah's
               death
               ,
               as
               the
               burthen
               of
               that
               doleful
               Song
               or
               Funeral-Elegy
               .
            
             
               II.
               Let
               us
               consider
               the
               Cause
               and
               Ground
               of
               this
               Lamentation
               ,
               which
               certainly
               was
               great
               and
               weighty
               enough
               to
               justifie
               that
               sorrow
               ,
               as
               great
               and
               bitter
               as
               it
               was
               :
               for
               in
               him
               they
               lost
               a
               faithful
               ,
               publick
               ,
               useful
               ,
               zealous
               ,
               and
               tender-hearted
               Instrument
               ,
               whose
               Life
               had
               been
               eminently
               useful
               to
               the
               Church
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               whose
               Death
               opened
               the
               gap
               to
               all
               the
               following
               Calamities
               upon
               Iudah
               .
            
             
               Now
               considering
               Iosiah
               ,
               here
               especially
               in
               his
               religious
               capacity
               ,
               as
               so
               faithful
               ,
               industrious
               ,
               and
               
               useful
               an
               Instrument
               for
               the
               Church
               of
               God
               ,
               rather
               than
               in
               his
               political
               capacity
               as
               a
               King
               ,
               the
               Note
               from
               it
               will
               be
               this
               .
            
             
               
                 Doctrine
                 .
              
               
                 
                   That
                   faithful
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   active
                   ,
                   and
                   publick
                   spirited
                   men
                   in
                   the
                   Church
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   should
                   not
                   be
                   laid
                   in
                   their
                   Graves
                   ,
                   without
                   great
                   Lamentations
                   .
                
              
               
                 When
                 Iacob
                 was
                 buried
                 ,
                 a
                 man
                 famous
                 for
                 Religion
                 ,
                 a
                 great
                 and
                 sore
                 lamentation
                 was
                 made
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 50.
                 v.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 Aaron
                 died
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 Israel
                 mourned
                 for
                 him
                 30
                 years
                 ,
                 Num.
                 20.
                 v.
                 29.
                 
                 When
                 Stephen
                 the
                 Proto-Martyr
                 died
                 ,
                 devout
                 men
                 carried
                 him
                 to
                 his
                 Grave
                 with
                 great
                 lamentations
                 ,
                 Acts
                 8.2
                 .
                 and
                 indeed
                 for
                 any
                 good
                 man
                 to
                 be
                 laid
                 in
                 his
                 Grave
                 ,
                 without
                 lamentation
                 ,
                 is
                 lamentable
                 .
                 The
                 living
                 Saints
                 have
                 ever
                 paid
                 this
                 respect
                 and
                 honour
                 to
                 dead
                 Saints
                 ,
                 as
                 men
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 worth
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 loss
                 the
                 
                 World
                 sustains
                 by
                 their
                 removal
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 know
                 the
                 departed
                 souls
                 of
                 Saints
                 have
                 no
                 concernment
                 in
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 yet
                 respect
                 is
                 due
                 to
                 their
                 very
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Temples
                 wherein
                 God
                 hath
                 been
                 served
                 and
                 honoured
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 related
                 to
                 Christ
                 who
                 will
                 one
                 day
                 put
                 great
                 glory
                 and
                 honour
                 upon
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 Explication
                 and
                 Confirmation
                 of
                 this
                 point
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 shew
                 you
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Negatively
                     ,
                     on
                     what
                     account
                     the
                     death
                     of
                     good
                     men
                     is
                     not
                     to
                     be
                     lamented
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Positively
                     ,
                     on
                     what
                     account
                     Tears
                     and
                     Lamentations
                     are
                     due
                     to
                     them
                     ,
                     with
                     the
                     grounds
                     and
                     reasons
                     thereof
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Negatively
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 Tear
                 or
                 Sigh
                 due
                 to
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 any
                 good
                 man
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 any
                 real
                 loss
                 or
                 detriment
                 that
                 he
                 sustains
                 thereby
                 .
                 No
                 ,
                 no
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 all
                 Tears
                 are
                 restrained
                 ,
                 all
                 Sorrows
                 prohibited
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Principles
                 and
                 Rules
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 
                 1
                 Thess.
                 4.13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 Religion
                 differences
                 the
                 sorrows
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 joys
                 ,
                 of
                 its
                 Professors
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 common
                 joys
                 and
                 sorrows
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 Dead
                 Saints
                 are
                 better
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 than
                 where
                 they
                 were
                 ;
                 to
                 be
                 with
                 Christ
                 is
                 far
                 better
                 ;
                 Death
                 to
                 them
                 is
                 gain
                 and
                 infinite
                 advantage
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 1.21.23
                 .
                 This
                 World
                 is
                 the
                 worst
                 place
                 that
                 ever
                 God
                 designed
                 his
                 People
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 :
                 for
                 if
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 perfect
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Purity
                 ,
                 be
                 better
                 than
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 Temptation
                 and
                 Corruption
                 ;
                 if
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 Rest
                 and
                 Peace
                 ,
                 be
                 better
                 than
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 Labour
                 and
                 Sorrow
                 ;
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 better
                 to
                 be
                 triumphing
                 above
                 ,
                 than
                 sighing
                 and
                 groaning
                 beneath
                 :
                 then
                 it
                 's
                 better
                 for
                 departed
                 Christians
                 to
                 be
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 than
                 where
                 they
                 were
                 .
                 And
                 could
                 they
                 now
                 communicate
                 their
                 minds
                 to
                 us
                 by
                 words
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 lately
                 did
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 say
                 to
                 us
                 as
                 Christ
                 said
                 ,
                 Luke
                 23.28
                 .
                 
                   Daughter
                   of
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   weep
                   not
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                   but
                   weep
                   for
                   〈◊〉
                   selves
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   your
                   children
                   .
                
                 Or
                 as
                 he
                 spake
                 to
                 his
                 Disciples
                 
                 under
                 their
                 sad
                 resentments
                 of
                 his
                 departure
                 ,
                 Ioh.
                 14.28
                 .
                 
                   If
                   ye
                   loved
                   me
                   ,
                   ye
                   would
                   rejoyce
                   ,
                   because
                   I
                   go
                   to
                   the
                   Father
                   .
                
                 So
                 then
                 no
                 tears
                 or
                 sorrows
                 are
                 due
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 becoming
                 us
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 any
                 real
                 loss
                 or
                 detriment
                 they
                 receive
                 by
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Positively
                 ,
                 But
                 the
                 true
                 grounds
                 and
                 causes
                 of
                 our
                 Lamentations
                 ,
                 are
                 upon
                 divers
                 other
                 weighty
                 accounts
                 :
                 as
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 Because
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 as
                 dwelt
                 in
                 them
                 when
                 amongst
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 recall'd
                 and
                 gather'd
                 up
                 from
                 this
                 lower
                 World.
                 Those
                 precious
                 Graces
                 which
                 they
                 exercised
                 among
                 us
                 ,
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 Conference
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 beneficial
                 Duties
                 ,
                 are
                 now
                 gone
                 with
                 them
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Church
                 had
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 them
                 during
                 their
                 abode
                 with
                 men
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 except
                 only
                 what
                 the
                 remembrance
                 of
                 their
                 holy
                 Words
                 and
                 instructive
                 Examples
                 (
                 whereby
                 they
                 still
                 speak
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 though
                 dead
                 )
                 may
                 afford
                 unto
                 us
                 .
              
               
               
                 There
                 are
                 choice
                 effusions
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 at
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 our
                 Sanctification
                 ,
                 of
                 which
                 the
                 Church
                 reapeth
                 the
                 benefit
                 whilst
                 we
                 live
                 ;
                 but
                 all
                 these
                 are
                 recall'd
                 at
                 our
                 dissolution
                 ,
                 and
                 thenceforth
                 we
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 farther
                 useful
                 in
                 this
                 lower
                 World
                 :
                 for
                 as
                 the
                 Soul
                 is
                 the
                 subject
                 in
                 which
                 these
                 precious
                 Graces
                 inhere
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 accompany
                 and
                 go
                 along
                 with
                 the
                 Soul
                 into
                 glory
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 real
                 loss
                 to
                 a
                 Company
                 when
                 any
                 Merchant
                 withdraws
                 a
                 great
                 Stock
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 running
                 in
                 Trade
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Bank
                 ;
                 so
                 certainly
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 loss
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 precious
                 gifts
                 and
                 graces
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 dwelling
                 in
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 are
                 drawn
                 out
                 by
                 Death
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 the
                 Church
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 farther
                 benefit
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 their
                 Prayers
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 are
                 now
                 ended
                 ;
                 Abraham
                 knoweth
                 us
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 Israel
                 is
                 ignorant
                 of
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                 The
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 deserves
                 a
                 bitter
                 lamentation
                 ,
                 
                 because
                 thereby
                 a
                 breach
                 is
                 made
                 ,
                 a
                 gap
                 opened
                 ,
                 to
                 let
                 in
                 the
                 Judgments
                 of
                 God
                 upon
                 the
                 Remnant
                 that
                 is
                 left
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 Moses
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 106.23
                 .
                 
                   Therefore
                   he
                   said
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   would
                   destroy
                   them
                   ,
                   had
                   not
                   Moses
                   his
                   chosen
                   stood
                   before
                   him
                   in
                   the
                   breach
                   ,
                   lest
                   he
                   should
                   destroy
                   them
                   .
                
                 A
                 Metaphor
                 from
                 a
                 besieged
                 City
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 breach
                 is
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 Walls
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 Enemy
                 ready
                 to
                 enter
                 ;
                 but
                 some
                 Champion
                 stands
                 in
                 the
                 breach
                 to
                 defend
                 the
                 City
                 .
                 Such
                 a
                 Champion
                 was
                 Moses
                 ,
                 who
                 by
                 his
                 constant
                 and
                 fervent
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 put
                 a
                 stop
                 to
                 the
                 inundation
                 of
                 God's
                 Judgments
                 against
                 Israel
                 .
                 And
                 such
                 another
                 was
                 
                   Lot
                   ,
                   Gen.
                
                 19.22
                 .
                 whose
                 Prayers
                 for
                 that
                 wicked
                 place
                 he
                 lived
                 in
                 ,
                 bound
                 up
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 Judgment
                 insomuch
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 told
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   can
                   do
                   nothing
                   till
                   thou
                   art
                   gone
                   .
                
                 But
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 by
                 death
                 removes
                 such
                 men
                 ,
                 he
                 thereby
                 
                   makes
                   a
                   way
                   to
                   his
                   anger
                   ,
                
                 as
                 the
                 expression
                 is
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 78.50
                 .
                 Hence
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 eminent
                 Saints
                 ,
                 especially
                 when
                 
                 many
                 are
                 taken
                 away
                 at
                 or
                 near
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 hath
                 been
                 ever
                 look'd
                 upon
                 as
                 a
                 direful
                 Omen
                 ,
                 and
                 dreadful
                 Presage
                 of
                 ensuing
                 Judgments
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 without
                 good
                 Scripture-authority
                 ,
                 Isai.
                 57.1
                 .
                 
                   The
                   righteous
                   perish
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   man
                   layeth
                   it
                   to
                   heart
                   ;
                   and
                   merciful
                   men
                   are
                   taken
                   away
                   ,
                   none
                   considering
                   that
                   the
                   righteous
                   is
                   taken
                   away
                   from
                   the
                   evil
                   to
                   come
                   .
                
              
               
                 Thus
                 Methusalah
                 ,
                 whose
                 very
                 Name
                 signified
                 
                   a
                   Flood
                   cometh
                
                 ,
                 died
                 the
                 year
                 before
                 the
                 Flood
                 .
                 Augustin
                 ,
                 a
                 little
                 before
                 the
                 sacking
                 of
                 
                   Hyppo
                   .
                   Pareus
                
                 ,
                 a
                 little
                 before
                 the
                 taking
                 of
                 Hydelberg
                 .
                 And
                 Luther
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 Wars
                 brake
                 out
                 in
                 Germany
                 .
                 Death
                 as
                 a
                 Pioneer
                 ,
                 clears
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 a
                 Troop
                 of
                 Miseries
                 following
                 after
                 .
                 This
                 therefore
                 is
                 a
                 just
                 and
                 weighty
                 ground
                 of
                 our
                 lamentations
                 for
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 useful
                 and
                 goodly
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                 The
                 beauty
                 and
                 ornaments
                 of
                 the
                 places
                 they
                 lived
                 in
                 ,
                 is
                 defaced
                 and
                 removed
                 by
                 their
                 death
                 ;
                 they
                 look
                 not
                 like
                 themselves
                 ,
                 
                 when
                 the
                 godly
                 are
                 removed
                 out
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 for
                 as
                 wicked
                 men
                 are
                 the
                 spots
                 and
                 blemishes
                 ,
                 so
                 good
                 men
                 are
                 the
                 beauty
                 and
                 ornaments
                 of
                 their
                 Country
                 .
                 A
                 good
                 man
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 say
                 of
                 Mr.
                 Barrington
                 of
                 Barrington-Hall
                 in
                 Essex
                 ,
                 Methinks
                 the
                 Town
                 is
                 not
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 when
                 Mr.
                 Barrington
                 is
                 out
                 of
                 Town
                 .
                 How
                 desolate
                 and
                 dismal
                 doth
                 a
                 Family
                 look
                 (
                 whatever
                 other
                 Ornaments
                 be
                 about
                 it
                 )
                 when
                 the
                 Religious
                 Governour
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 gone
                 !
                 Take
                 away
                 good
                 men
                 from
                 their
                 Families
                 ,
                 and
                 Country
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 are
                 they
                 but
                 like
                 a
                 Vineyard
                 when
                 the
                 Vintage
                 is
                 past
                 ?
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 speaks
                 ,
                 Micha
                 7.1
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 The
                 death
                 of
                 good
                 men
                 deserves
                 a
                 bitter
                 Lamentation
                 ,
                 because
                 thereby
                 the
                 passage
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 propagation
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 is
                 obstructed
                 in
                 the
                 places
                 from
                 whence
                 they
                 are
                 removed
                 .
                 Of
                 how
                 great
                 use
                 in
                 a
                 Country
                 may
                 one
                 zealous
                 publick-spirited
                 man
                 be
                 ?
                 Hundreds
                 may
                 
                 have
                 cause
                 to
                 bless
                 God
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 man.
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 Apostles
                 desire
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Thessalonians
                   ,
                   To
                   pray
                   that
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   may
                   have
                   its
                   free
                   course
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   might
                   run
                   and
                   be
                   glorified
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Thess.
                 3.1
                 .
                 The
                 removal
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 person
                 as
                 naturally
                 took
                 care
                 for
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 provide
                 food
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 loss
                 ,
                 nor
                 lightly
                 to
                 be
                 passed
                 over
                 .
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 
                 The
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 time
                 in
                 which
                 good
                 men
                 die
                 ,
                 aggravates
                 the
                 loss
                 ,
                 and
                 justly
                 incenses
                 the
                 sorrow
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 remain
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 upon
                 a
                 threefold
                 account
                 .
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 That
                 it
                 falls
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 declining
                 state
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Spirit
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 Godliness
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 weakned
                 and
                 impoverished
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 like
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 good
                 Bloud
                 in
                 a
                 consumptive
                 Body
                 ,
                 which
                 must
                 bring
                 it
                 very
                 low
                 .
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 That
                 it
                 falls
                 out
                 also
                 in
                 a
                 time
                 when
                 the
                 numbers
                 of
                 the
                 Godly
                 are
                 so
                 much
                 thinn'd
                 and
                 lessen'd
                 ,
                 not
                 when
                 the
                 Churches
                 Children
                 
                 say
                 in
                 her
                 Ears
                 ,
                 The
                 place
                 is
                 too
                 straight
                 ,
                 give
                 place
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 dwell
                 ;
                 but
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 every-where
                 lamenting
                 ,
                 the
                 paucity
                 and
                 scarcity
                 of
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 did
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 12.1
                 .
                 
                   Help
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   godly
                   man
                   ceaseth
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   righteous
                   fail
                   from
                   among
                   the
                   children
                   of
                   men
                   .
                
                 At
                 a
                 time
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 bewailing
                 themselves
                 in
                 the
                 language
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 Micah
                 7.1
                 .
                 
                   Wo
                   is
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   I
                   am
                   as
                   when
                   they
                   have
                   gathered
                   the
                   summer-fruits
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   grape-gleanings
                   of
                   the
                   vintage
                   :
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   cluster
                   to
                   eat
                   ;
                   my
                   soul
                   desired
                   the
                   first
                   ripe
                   fruit
                   .
                
                 Alluding
                 to
                 a
                 hungry
                 man
                 that
                 goes
                 into
                 a
                 Vineyard
                 to
                 refresh
                 his
                 spirits
                 with
                 the
                 fruit
                 thereof
                 ;
                 but
                 alas
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 one
                 pleasant
                 bunch
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 ,
                 none
                 but
                 sower
                 Grapes
                 ,
                 to
                 increase
                 his
                 Hunger
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 his
                 Teeth
                 on
                 edge
                 .
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 And
                 that
                 which
                 much
                 more
                 aggravates
                 the
                 loss
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 :
                 when
                 it
                 falls
                 in
                 a
                 time
                 wherein
                 the
                 spring
                 and
                 succession
                 of
                 good
                 men
                 is
                 obstructed
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 case
                 Death
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 storm
                 of
                 Wind
                 ,
                 overturns
                 the
                 fairest
                 ,
                 
                 pleasantest
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 fruitful
                 Trees
                 in
                 the
                 Orchard
                 ,
                 when
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Nursery
                 from
                 whence
                 others
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 to
                 plant
                 in
                 their
                 rooms
                 .
              
               
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 
                 There
                 is
                 just
                 cause
                 to
                 lament
                 the
                 removal
                 of
                 publick
                 and
                 pious
                 men
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 consider
                 what
                 influence
                 our
                 sins
                 and
                 provocations
                 have
                 had
                 upon
                 those
                 Judgments
                 and
                 Calamities
                 ;
                 our
                 unworthiness
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 unthankfulness
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 non
                 improvements
                 of
                 such
                 mercies
                 ,
                 have
                 bereaved
                 us
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 I
                 look
                 upon
                 every
                 good
                 man
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 good
                 Book
                 ,
                 lent
                 by
                 its
                 Owner
                 to
                 another
                 to
                 read
                 and
                 transcribe
                 the
                 excellent
                 Notions
                 and
                 golden
                 Passages
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 benefit
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 remain
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Owner
                 shall
                 call
                 for
                 the
                 Book
                 again
                 :
                 but
                 in
                 case
                 this
                 excellent
                 Book
                 be
                 thrown
                 into
                 a
                 corner
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 use
                 made
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 justly
                 provokes
                 the
                 Owner
                 to
                 take
                 it
                 away
                 in
                 displeasure
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 you
                 see
                 upon
                 what
                 account
                 our
                 sorrows
                 for
                 the
                 death
                 
                 of
                 good
                 men
                 are
                 restrained
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 what
                 accounts
                 and
                 reasons
                 they
                 are
                 due
                 debt
                 to
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 eminent
                 and
                 useful
                 Instruments
                 for
                 God.
                 What
                 remains
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Application
                 of
                 this
                 point
                 .
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 Point
                 before
                 us
                 justly
                 reproves
                 three
                 sorts
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   The
                   worst
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   such
                   as
                   secretly
                   rejoyce
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   inwardly
                   glad
                   at
                   the
                   removal
                   of
                   such
                   men
                   ;
                   they
                   took
                   no
                   delight
                   in
                   them
                   while
                   they
                   lived
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   glad
                   they
                   are
                   rid
                   of
                   them
                   when
                   they
                   are
                   dead
                   .
                   Those
                   that
                   persecuted
                   and
                   hated
                   them
                   when
                   alive
                   ,
                   may
                   be
                   presumed
                   to
                   be
                   pleased
                   and
                   gratified
                   with
                   their
                   death
                   .
                   But
                   alas
                   ,
                   poor
                   Creatures
                   ,
                   they
                   know
                   not
                   what
                   they
                   do
                   !
                   The
                   innocent
                   preserve
                   the
                   Island
                   .
                   
                     Except
                     the
                     Lord
                     of
                     hosts
                  
                   (
                   saith
                   the
                   Prophet
                   )
                   
                     had
                     left
                     us
                     a
                     small
                     remnant
                     ,
                     we
                     had
                     been
                     as
                     Sodom
                     ,
                     we
                     had
                     been
                     like
                     unto
                     Gomorrah
                     ,
                  
                   Isai.
                   1.9
                   .
                   It
                   's
                   a
                   Proverb
                   among
                   the
                   very
                   Jews
                   ,
                   
                     Sinè
                     Supplicationibus
                     non
                     staret
                     Mundus
                  
                   :
                   The
                   World
                   stands
                   by
                   the
                   Prayers
                   
                   of
                   the
                   godly
                   .
                   Let
                   the
                   World
                   think
                   what
                   they
                   will
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   I
                   tell
                   you
                   these
                   men
                   are
                   a
                   Screen
                   ,
                   a
                   Partition-wall
                   ,
                   betwixt
                   them
                   and
                   destruction
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   It
                   reproves
                   the
                   insensibleness
                   of
                   good
                   men
                   ,
                   who
                   are
                   apt
                   too
                   slightly
                   to
                   pass
                   over
                   such
                   tremendous
                   stroaks
                   of
                   God
                   :
                   for
                   this
                   it
                   was
                   that
                   God
                   reproved
                   his
                   own
                   People
                   ,
                   Isai.
                   57.1
                   .
                   
                     No
                     man
                     layeth
                     it
                     to
                     heart
                     .
                  
                   Where
                   the
                   want
                   of
                   affection
                   is
                   charged
                   upon
                   the
                   want
                   of
                   consideration
                   ,
                   none
                   considering
                   their
                   worth
                   ,
                   their
                   use
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   consequences
                   of
                   their
                   fall
                   .
                   Such
                   Rebukes
                   of
                   God
                   do
                   certainly
                   call
                   for
                   a
                   deeper
                   sence
                   and
                   sorrow
                   ,
                   than
                   is
                   found
                   in
                   most
                   men
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   It
                   reproves
                   the
                   very
                   best
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   who
                   though
                   they
                   do
                   bewail
                   and
                   lament
                   the
                   loss
                   of
                   such
                   men
                   ,
                   yet
                   they
                   do
                   not
                   lament
                   it
                   in
                   the
                   due
                   manner
                   .
                   They
                   lament
                   it
                   one
                   to
                   another
                   ,
                   saying
                   ,
                   Alas
                   ,
                   alas
                   ,
                   such
                   a
                   Worthy
                   is
                   fallen
                   ,
                   such
                   an
                   eminent
                   Instrument
                   in
                   the
                   Church
                   or
                   State
                   is
                   dead
                   ;
                   but
                   they
                   do
                   not
                   lament
                   it
                   in
                   Prayer
                   to
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   
                   they
                   mourn
                   not
                   over
                   the
                   matter
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   as
                   David
                   did
                   ,
                   Psal.
                   12.1
                   .
                   
                     Crying
                     ,
                     Help
                     ,
                     Lord
                     ,
                     for
                     the
                     godly
                     man
                     ceaseth
                     .
                  
                   Help
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   the
                   remnant
                   that
                   is
                   left
                   ;
                   help
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   to
                   repair
                   the
                   breach
                   made
                   by
                   their
                   death
                   ;
                   let
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   the
                   Spirits
                   of
                   all
                   flesh
                   raise
                   up
                   a
                   Man
                   to
                   fill
                   the
                   room
                   and
                   supply
                   the
                   want
                   .
                   Alas
                   ,
                   how
                   insignificant
                   are
                   the
                   Lamentations
                   of
                   most
                   men
                   upon
                   this
                   account
                   !
                
              
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 This
                 point
                 invites
                 us
                 all
                 this
                 day
                 to
                 bewail
                 the
                 stroak
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 is
                 upon
                 us
                 .
                 I
                 could
                 wish
                 that
                 he
                 that
                 looks
                 upon
                 this
                 Text
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 upon
                 the
                 countenance
                 of
                 this
                 Assembly
                 ,
                 might
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 discern
                 the
                 agreeableness
                 of
                 the
                 one
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 sad
                 and
                 solemn
                 occasion
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 let
                 all
                 that
                 love
                 Sion
                 ,
                 lament
                 this
                 day
                 the
                 fall
                 of
                 one
                 of
                 her
                 true
                 Friends
                 and
                 Lovers
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 Funeral
                 Panegyricks
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 be
                 suspected
                 of
                 flattery
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 I
                 want
                 a
                 Rhetorical
                 Tongue
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 work
                 ,
                 so
                 if
                 I
                 had
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 should
                 never
                 
                 be
                 saleable
                 for
                 so
                 base
                 a
                 use
                 and
                 purpose
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 by
                 sending
                 the
                 generality
                 that
                 die
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 many
                 are
                 confirmed
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 Hell.
                 Nor
                 can
                 I
                 but
                 think
                 of
                 that
                 serious
                 Line
                 in
                 
                   Chrysostom
                   ,
                   What
                   a
                   poor
                   comfort
                   is
                   it
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   praised
                   where
                   a
                   man
                   is
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   be
                   tormented
                   where
                   he
                   is
                   .
                   But
                   yet
                   the
                   righteous
                   shall
                   be
                   had
                   in
                   everlasting
                   remembrance
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 112.6
                 .
                 Expect
                 nothing
                 from
                 me
                 on
                 this
                 occasion
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 may
                 be
                 spoken
                 with
                 greatest
                 assurance
                 of
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 intended
                 for
                 the
                 benefit
                 and
                 imitation
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 hear
                 it
                 .
                 Some
                 may
                 think
                 it
                 a
                 strain
                 too
                 high
                 ,
                 to
                 compare
                 a
                 private
                 person
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 glorious
                 King
                 as
                 Iosiah
                 was
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 Christ
                 compared
                 and
                 preferr'd
                 the
                 very
                 Grass
                 of
                 the
                 Field
                 ,
                 to
                 Solomon
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 glory
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 no
                 reason
                 why
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 compare
                 and
                 parallel
                 the
                 precious
                 Graces
                 of
                 a
                 private
                 person
                 with
                 a
                 royal
                 Saint
                 ,
                 especially
                 since
                 the
                 comparison
                 is
                 only
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 religious
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 civil
                 capacity
                 .
              
               
               
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 the
                 Graces
                 and
                 gracious
                 Performances
                 of
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   Hezekiah
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Iosiah
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 other
                 dignified
                 Saints
                 ,
                 were
                 intended
                 and
                 propounded
                 as
                 Patterns
                 for
                 our
                 imitation
                 ;
                 and
                 no
                 doubt
                 but
                 private
                 Christians
                 may
                 measure
                 by
                 their
                 Pattern
                 .
                 Beside
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 abundantly
                 more
                 safe
                 to
                 relate
                 the
                 Vertues
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 dead
                 ,
                 than
                 whilst
                 they
                 were
                 alive
                 :
                 for
                 now
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 danger
                 of
                 provoking
                 pride
                 and
                 vain-glory
                 in
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 praised
                 ,
                 but
                 much
                 hope
                 of
                 provoking
                 an
                 holy
                 emulation
                 and
                 imitation
                 in
                 them
                 that
                 hear
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Well
                 then
                 ,
                 
                   Absit
                   invidia
                   verbis
                
                 :
                 Suffer
                 me
                 this
                 day
                 to
                 erect
                 a
                 Pillar
                 to
                 perpetuate
                 the
                 Memory
                 of
                 this
                 deceased
                 Worthy
                 ,
                 to
                 pay
                 the
                 tribute
                 of
                 my
                 Tears
                 due
                 to
                 that
                 mournful
                 Hearse
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 engage
                 you
                 to
                 imitate
                 those
                 Excellencies
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 with
                 equal
                 truth
                 and
                 modesty
                 display
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 also
                 may
                 be
                 duly
                 affected
                 with
                 the
                 Rebuke
                 of
                 God
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 mourn
                 over
                 it
                 before
                 him
                 .
              
               
               
                 If
                 when
                 an
                 eminent
                 Commander
                 in
                 any
                 Army
                 falls
                 ,
                 the
                 whole
                 Army
                 is
                 affected
                 and
                 concerned
                 with
                 his
                 death
                 ;
                 
                   
                     The
                     mourning
                     Drum
                     ,
                     the
                     Lance
                     and
                     Ensignes
                     trail'd
                     ;
                  
                   
                     The
                     Robes
                     of
                     Honour
                     all
                     in
                     Sables
                     vail'd
                     .
                  
                
                 Let
                 it
                 not
                 be
                 thought
                 much
                 ,
                 Christians
                 should
                 express
                 their
                 sense
                 and
                 sorrow
                 in
                 sighs
                 and
                 tears
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 useful
                 and
                 worthy
                 a
                 man
                 as
                 God
                 hath
                 this
                 day
                 removed
                 from
                 among
                 us
                 ,
                 whose
                 Character
                 I
                 shall
                 give
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 following
                 immitable
                 particulars
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 worthy
                 man
                 whose
                 fall
                 we
                 lament
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 was
                 seasoned
                 with
                 Religion
                 in
                 his
                 Youth
                 ,
                 by
                 God's
                 blessing
                 upon
                 his
                 pious
                 Education
                 ;
                 in
                 this
                 he
                 had
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 Iosiah
                 .
                 His
                 Progenitors
                 were
                 men
                 of
                 Piety
                 ,
                 and
                 himself
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 many
                 Prayers
                 :
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 Monica
                 said
                 of
                 her
                 Son
                 Austin
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 likely
                 that
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 so
                 many
                 Prayers
                 should
                 perish
                 .
                 
                 How
                 importunately
                 did
                 they
                 request
                 the
                 fervent
                 Prayers
                 of
                 their
                 pious
                 Friends
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 his
                 Education
                 ?
                 nor
                 was
                 it
                 in
                 vain
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 were
                 manifestly
                 answered
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 soon
                 discovered
                 that
                 Probity
                 and
                 Piety
                 in
                 his
                 Youth
                 ,
                 which
                 justly
                 raised
                 great
                 expectations
                 from
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 riper
                 years
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Nor
                 did
                 he
                 frustrate
                 those
                 hopes
                 ;
                 for
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 ever
                 God
                 had
                 fixed
                 him
                 in
                 a
                 proper
                 Sphere
                 of
                 Activity
                 ,
                 (
                 I
                 mean
                 ,
                 a
                 Family
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 )
                 those
                 Graces
                 that
                 were
                 in
                 him
                 shone
                 forth
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 comfort
                 and
                 benefit
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 were
                 about
                 him
                 .
                 
                 Ioshua's
                 pious
                 resolution
                 was
                 his
                 ;
                 
                   As
                   for
                   me
                   ,
                   I
                   and
                   my
                   house
                   will
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord.
                   
                
              
               
                 He
                 kept
                 up
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 Closet
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 his
                 Family
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 if
                 Religion
                 languish
                 in
                 the
                 Closet
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 quickly
                 die
                 in
                 the
                 Family
                 .
                 His
                 House
                 was
                 a
                 Temple
                 consecrated
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 there
                 the
                 Morning
                 and
                 Evening-Sacrifices
                 of
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Praises
                 were
                 offered
                 up
                 .
                 He
                 called
                 
                 his
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 to
                 those
                 Duties
                 ,
                 not
                 reckoning
                 that
                 time
                 lost
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 spent
                 for
                 God.
                 The
                 Lord
                 had
                 endowed
                 him
                 with
                 an
                 excellent
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Prayer
                 himself
                 :
                 I
                 have
                 sometimes
                 accidentally
                 heard
                 him
                 praying
                 in
                 his
                 Family
                 ,
                 with
                 such
                 solidity
                 of
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 pertinency
                 of
                 Expression
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 warmth
                 of
                 Affection
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 at
                 once
                 edified
                 ,
                 refreshed
                 ,
                 and
                 reproved
                 me
                 in
                 hearing
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 constantly
                 read
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 in
                 course
                 before
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 oft-times
                 with
                 a
                 Commentary
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 and
                 his
                 Families
                 Edification
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Lords
                 day
                 he
                 sanctified
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 more
                 publick
                 attendance
                 on
                 the
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 Duties
                 of
                 Reading
                 ,
                 Repeating
                 ,
                 Singing
                 ,
                 and
                 Catechising
                 all
                 his
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 about
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 this
                 before
                 he
                 allowed
                 himself
                 or
                 them
                 any
                 bodily
                 Refreshments
                 ,
                 lest
                 the
                 edge
                 of
                 their
                 Affections
                 should
                 be
                 blunted
                 in
                 Duty
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 clogging
                 of
                 Nature
                 with
                 
                 Creature-repasts
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 did
                 he
                 ,
                 as
                 Iob
                 ,
                 continually
                 :
                 to
                 this
                 course
                 he
                 was
                 severe
                 and
                 constant
                 ,
                 no
                 incident
                 occasions
                 ,
                 how
                 great
                 or
                 many
                 soever
                 ,
                 could
                 divert
                 him
                 from
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Neither
                 was
                 his
                 holy
                 Zeal
                 and
                 Christian
                 care
                 limited
                 and
                 circumscribed
                 within
                 his
                 own
                 Family
                 ,
                 but
                 was
                 extended
                 to
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 all
                 in
                 his
                 Neighbourhood
                 ,
                 who
                 desired
                 helps
                 and
                 means
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 salvation
                 .
              
               
                 His
                 House
                 was
                 seldom
                 without
                 a
                 godly
                 Minister
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 loath
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 eat
                 his
                 pleasant
                 Morsel●
                 alone
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 his
                 hear●
                 to
                 see
                 his
                 house
                 fill'd
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 :
                 How
                 many
                 Witnesses
                 to
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 this
                 are
                 here
                 this
                 day
                 Like
                 another
                 Ioseph
                 ,
                 he
                 provide●
                 food
                 for
                 your
                 souls
                 ;
                 he
                 loved
                 ,
                 honoured
                 ,
                 received
                 ,
                 and
                 incourage●
                 the
                 Ministers
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 in
                 thei●
                 deepest
                 sufferings
                 ;
                 gave
                 them
                 op●portunities
                 of
                 service
                 ,
                 when
                 som●
                 durst
                 not
                 own
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 othe●
                 violently
                 persecuted
                 them
                 .
              
               
               
                 4.
                 
                 When
                 God
                 called
                 him
                 to
                 publick
                 Employments
                 in
                 the
                 Commonwealth
                 ,
                 he
                 neither
                 purchased
                 nor
                 abused
                 that
                 Trust
                 ;
                 but
                 with
                 a
                 true
                 English
                 ,
                 rather
                 a
                 Christian
                 zeal
                 and
                 courage
                 ,
                 he
                 dedicated
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 Country
                 .
                 Chearfully
                 quitting
                 all
                 domestick
                 concerns
                 ,
                 spent
                 his
                 Estate
                 ,
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 pains
                 ,
                 to
                 heal
                 the
                 breaches
                 of
                 England
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 a
                 man
                 whose
                 zeal
                 for
                 the
                 common
                 good
                 ,
                 would
                 have
                 carried
                 him
                 nearer
                 to
                 the
                 Example
                 of
                 that
                 noble
                 Roman
                 ,
                 who
                 when
                 a
                 Chasm
                 was
                 made
                 by
                 an
                 Earthquake
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Oracle
                 had
                 declared
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 could
                 never
                 be
                 closed
                 ,
                 except
                 something
                 of
                 value
                 was
                 thrown
                 into
                 it
                 ,
                 cast
                 in
                 himself
                 to
                 close
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 could
                 truly
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 had
                 there
                 been
                 conveniency
                 and
                 opportunity
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 laid
                 in
                 his
                 Grave
                 ,
                 
                   Here
                   lies
                   a
                   man
                   that
                   never
                   betrayed
                   nor
                   deserted
                   the
                   Publick
                   ,
                   for
                   any
                   private
                   interest
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 5.
                 
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 came
                 as
                 near
                 Iosiah
                 in
                 tenderness
                 of
                 heart
                 ,
                 as
                 ever
                 I
                 had
                 the
                 happiness
                 to
                 be
                 acquainted
                 with
                 .
                 The
                 Churches
                 troubles
                 were
                 his
                 troubles
                 ,
                 they
                 all
                 met
                 in
                 him
                 as
                 lines
                 in
                 a
                 centre
                 ;
                 he
                 even
                 lived
                 and
                 died
                 with
                 the
                 interest
                 of
                 Religion
                 :
                 and
                 of
                 him
                 I
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 said
                 of
                 Timothy
                 ,
                 2
                 Phil.
                 20.21
                 .
                 
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   man
                   like
                   minded
                   who
                   will
                   naturally
                   care
                   for
                   your
                   state
                   ,
                   for
                   all
                   seek
                   their
                   own
                   ,
                   not
                   the
                   things
                   which
                   are
                   Iesus
                   Christ's
                   .
                   Naturally
                   ,
                
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 opposed
                 to
                 Spiritually
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 Artificially
                 .
                 Many
                 can
                 artificially
                 act
                 the
                 part
                 of
                 a
                 Zealot
                 ,
                 when
                 their
                 own
                 interest
                 lies
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 naturally
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 freely
                 ,
                 cheerfully
                 ,
                 and
                 constantly
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 But
                 though
                 these
                 Excellencies
                 were
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 his
                 Naevi
                 ,
                 blemishes
                 ,
                 and
                 imperfections
                 .
                 Elias
                 was
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 like
                 passions
                 and
                 weaknesses
                 of
                 Spirit
                 .
                 All
                 these
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 God
                 hath
                 covered
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 is
                 now
                 perfectly
                 freed
                 from
                 them
                 all
                 .
              
               
               
                 There
                 is
                 now
                 no
                 passion
                 left
                 within
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 stirred
                 by
                 temptation
                 ,
                 no
                 despondencies
                 and
                 sinkings
                 of
                 Spirit
                 under
                 dismal
                 aspects
                 of
                 Providence
                 .
                 His
                 Graces
                 are
                 perfected
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Corruptions
                 finally
                 eradicated
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 To
                 conclude
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 great
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 tender
                 Affections
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 greatly
                 honoured
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 
                   active
                   obedience
                
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 greatly
                 proved
                 and
                 tryed
                 him
                 in
                 a
                 course
                 of
                 
                   passive
                   obedience
                
                 .
                 He
                 not
                 only
                 gave
                 the
                 Cross
                 in
                 his
                 Coat
                 ,
                 but
                 bear
                 it
                 upon
                 his
                 Shoulders
                 :
                 for
                 besides
                 those
                 troubles
                 which
                 were
                 properly
                 sympathetical
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 his
                 Idiopathetical
                 sufferings
                 also
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 both
                 from
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God.
                 His
                 Piety
                 made
                 and
                 marked
                 him
                 for
                 an
                 Object
                 of
                 Persecution
                 ;
                 the
                 Archers
                 shot
                 at
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 sorely
                 grieved
                 him
                 ;
                 he
                 and
                 his
                 Family
                 were
                 hunted
                 with
                 a
                 Net
                 ;
                 the
                 Lord
                 lay
                 it
                 not
                 to
                 their
                 charge
                 :
                 
                   Et
                   hinc
                   illae
                   lachrymae
                
                 .
                 The
                 sad
                 effects
                 thereof
                 ,
                 I
                 chose
                 rather
                 at
                 this
                 time
                 
                 to
                 pass
                 over
                 with
                 a
                 sigh
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 to
                 commemorate
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 as
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 man
                 was
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 also
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 lopping
                 off
                 all
                 the
                 pleasant
                 Branches
                 that
                 sprang
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 one
                 after
                 another
                 ;
                 when
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 endearing
                 age
                 ,
                 opening
                 and
                 disclosing
                 the
                 Bud
                 :
                 And
                 as
                 the
                 Complement
                 and
                 Issue
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 breaking
                 his
                 constitutional
                 strength
                 with
                 a
                 long
                 languishing
                 Disease
                 ,
                 which
                 at
                 last
                 extinguished
                 this
                 bright
                 Lamp
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 left
                 his
                 Family
                 and
                 Neighbourhood
                 in
                 darkness
                 and
                 sorrow
                 .
                 His
                 poor
                 Heart
                 was
                 the
                 Anvil
                 on
                 which
                 many
                 Hammers
                 of
                 Affliction
                 had
                 been
                 a
                 long
                 time
                 beating
                 ;
                 and
                 no
                 wonder
                 it
                 appeared
                 relaxed
                 and
                 tumified
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 was
                 inspected
                 ,
                 having
                 endured
                 so
                 many
                 successive
                 stroaks
                 of
                 sorrow
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 what
                 the
                 Lord
                 spake
                 of
                 Israel
                 in
                 Ier.
                 11.16
                 .
                 is
                 fulfilled
                 upon
                 this
                 worthy
                 person
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   called
                   thy
                   name
                   a
                   green
                   Olive-tree
                   ,
                   fair
                   and
                   of
                   goodly
                   fruit
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   noise
                   of
                   a
                   great
                   tumult
                   he
                   hath
                   kindled
                   a
                   
                   fire
                   upon
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   branches
                   of
                   it
                   are
                   broken
                   .
                
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                 I
                 shall
                 wind
                 up
                 the
                 whole
                 in
                 several
                 seasonable
                 and
                 necessary
                 Counsels
                 :
                 Some
                 more
                 general
                 ,
                 others
                 more
                 particular
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 most
                 particularly
                 and
                 especially
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Counsel
                 to
                 all
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 to
                 awaken
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 recover
                 a
                 due
                 sense
                 of
                 such
                 sore
                 Rebukes
                 of
                 God
                 as
                 this
                 is
                 .
                 When
                 Saul
                 fell
                 ,
                 
                   David
                   lamented
                   it
                   ,
                   saying
                   ,
                   The
                   beauty
                   of
                   Israel
                   was
                   slain
                   on
                   thy
                   high
                   places
                   .
                
              
               
                 God
                 hath
                 this
                 day
                 stript
                 off
                 an
                 Ornament
                 from
                 this
                 Country
                 .
                 Such
                 Dispensations
                 of
                 Providence
                 speak
                 indignation
                 coming
                 on
                 .
                 It
                 requires
                 almost
                 an
                 Age
                 to
                 breed
                 and
                 furnish
                 a
                 man
                 with
                 due
                 qualifications
                 for
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 and
                 Common-wealth
                 .
                 England
                 doth
                 not
                 so
                 abound
                 with
                 pious
                 ,
                 zealous
                 ,
                 and
                 faithful
                 Gentlemen
                 at
                 this
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 sensibly
                 feel
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 man.
                 
              
               
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 More
                 particularly
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 Ministers
                 of
                 Christ
                 lament
                 his
                 fall
                 ,
                 as
                 Ieremiah
                 did
                 the
                 fall
                 of
                 Iosiah
                 in
                 the
                 Text.
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 true
                 Friend
                 to
                 Christ's
                 faithful
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 them
                 in
                 honour
                 for
                 their
                 work
                 sake
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 no
                 more
                 need
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 now
                 wiser
                 than
                 his
                 Teachers
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 greatly
                 need
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 men
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 dull
                 degenerate
                 Age
                 as
                 we
                 live
                 in
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 And
                 most
                 particularly
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 apply
                 and
                 close
                 all
                 with
                 a
                 few
                 words
                 of
                 Counsel
                 to
                 the
                 dear
                 and
                 now
                 
                   desolate
                   Relict
                
                 of
                 this
                 Worthy
                 Person
                 ,
                 whose
                 sad
                 lot
                 it
                 is
                 this
                 day
                 to
                 over-live
                 the
                 mercies
                 and
                 comforts
                 she
                 once
                 enjoyed
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Madam
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 this
                 day
                 covered
                 you
                 with
                 Sables
                 ,
                 written
                 bitter
                 things
                 against
                 you
                 ,
                 broken
                 you
                 with
                 breach
                 upon
                 breach
                 .
                 Your
                 sorrows
                 need
                 not
                 be
                 excited
                 ,
                 but
                 regulated
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 my
                 trouble
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 cannot
                 discharge
                 my
                 duty
                 to
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 your
                 dear
                 Husband
                 ,
                 
                 without
                 exasperating
                 your
                 Griefs
                 ,
                 which
                 alas
                 were
                 too
                 acute
                 before
                 ;
                 but
                 Rods
                 have
                 their
                 voices
                 :
                 
                   Blessed
                   is
                   the
                   man
                   whom
                   God
                   correcteth
                   and
                   teacheth
                   him
                   out
                   of
                   his
                   Law.
                
                 Hear
                 you
                 the
                 Rod
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 hath
                 appointed
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 oh
                 that
                 your
                 Soul
                 may
                 this
                 day
                 take
                 in
                 these
                 necessary
                 Counsels
                 and
                 Cautions
                 ,
                 without
                 which
                 your
                 Afflictions
                 cannot
                 be
                 sanctified
                 to
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 your
                 Soul.
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Learn
                 from
                 hence
                 the
                 vanity
                 of
                 the
                 Creature
                 ,
                 the
                 emptiness
                 and
                 nothingness
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 things
                 here
                 below
                 .
                 How
                 hath
                 God
                 made
                 your
                 best
                 comforts
                 on
                 Earth
                 to
                 shrink
                 up
                 and
                 vanish
                 into
                 nothing
                 ?
                 How
                 do
                 our
                 fancies
                 varnish
                 and
                 guild
                 over
                 these
                 empty
                 Bubbles
                 ?
                 What
                 great
                 expectations
                 are
                 we
                 apt
                 to
                 raise
                 from
                 them
                 ?
                 How
                 apt
                 to
                 fall
                 asleep
                 in
                 the
                 bosoms
                 or
                 laps
                 of
                 earthly
                 Enjoyments
                 ?
                 and
                 say
                 with
                 
                   Iob
                   ,
                   I
                   shall
                   die
                   in
                   my
                   nest
                   ,
                   and
                   multiply
                   my
                   days
                   as
                   the
                   sand
                   .
                
                 When
                 loe
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 moment
                 the
                 projects
                 and
                 expectations
                 
                 of
                 many
                 years
                 are
                 over-turned
                 .
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 difference
                 will
                 you
                 find
                 betwixt
                 hope
                 founded
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Comforts
                 drawn
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Promises
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 flattering
                 Comforts
                 and
                 vain
                 hopes
                 founded
                 in
                 the
                 Creature
                 whose
                 breath
                 is
                 in
                 its
                 Nostrils
                 ?
              
               
                 'T
                 is
                 time
                 for
                 you
                 and
                 for
                 us
                 all
                 to
                 wean
                 off
                 from
                 this
                 vain
                 World
                 ;
                 mortifie
                 our
                 Fancies
                 and
                 Affections
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 place
                 them
                 where
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 capable
                 of
                 disappointment
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Guard
                 carefully
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 ,
                 against
                 those
                 Temptations
                 which
                 probably
                 may
                 accompany
                 this
                 Affliction
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 Satan
                 will
                 suggest
                 to
                 your
                 heart
                 ,
                 what
                 he
                 once
                 put
                 into
                 their
                 lips
                 .
                 Mal.
                 3.14
                 .
                 
                   What
                   profit
                   is
                   it
                   that
                   we
                   have
                   kept
                   his
                   ordinances
                   ,
                   and
                   walked
                   mournfully
                   before
                   him
                   ?
                
                 Where
                 is
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 Prayer
                 ?
                 What
                 good
                 have
                 I
                 seen
                 of
                 Fasting
                 ?
                 What
                 hath
                 Religion
                 availed
                 ?
                 Do
                 not
                 prayerless
                 and
                 ungodly
                 Families
                 thrive
                 and
                 prosper
                 ?
                 Beware
                 of
                 this
                 .
                 Madam
                 ,
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 
                 you
                 will
                 acknowledge
                 there
                 have
                 been
                 sins
                 and
                 provocations
                 within
                 your
                 walls
                 ,
                 yea
                 within
                 your
                 heart
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 God
                 may
                 as
                 justly
                 and
                 severely
                 judge
                 your
                 house
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 
                 Ely's
                 .
                 Remember
                 the
                 rewards
                 of
                 Religion
                 are
                 not
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ;
                 and
                 should
                 we
                 speak
                 thus
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 offend
                 against
                 the
                 generation
                 of
                 his
                 Children
                 .
                 All
                 we
                 must
                 expect
                 from
                 Religion
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 save
                 our
                 souls
                 by
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Call
                 not
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 into
                 question
                 to
                 your self
                 ,
                 or
                 yours
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 these
                 severe
                 stroaks
                 of
                 God
                 upon
                 you
                 and
                 them
                 :
                 You
                 know
                 Iosiah
                 was
                 dear
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 died
                 in
                 the
                 prime
                 of
                 his
                 days
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 violent
                 hand
                 ,
                 remote
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 home
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 brought
                 home
                 in
                 the
                 
                   second
                   Chariot
                
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 a
                 Spectacle
                 of
                 far
                 greater
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 than
                 your
                 dear
                 Husband
                 was
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 these
                 sad
                 circumstances
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 the
                 Promise
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 was
                 punctually
                 performed
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 die
                 in
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 behold
                 the
                 Evil
                 that
                 was
                 
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 
                   There
                   is
                   a
                   vanity
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                   Solomon
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   done
                   upon
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   that
                   there
                   be
                   just
                   men
                   unto
                   whom
                   it
                   happeneth
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   :
                   again
                   ,
                   there
                   be
                   wicked
                   men
                   to
                   whom
                   it
                   happeneth
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   the
                   righteous
                   ,
                
                 Eccles.
                 8.14
                 .
                 But
                 then
                 remember
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 Earth
                 ;
                 here
                 ,
                 or
                 no-where
                 ,
                 God
                 must
                 chastize
                 his
                 Children
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 maintain
                 that
                 holy
                 course
                 of
                 Religious
                 Exercises
                 in
                 your
                 Family
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 your
                 Closet
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 walked
                 so
                 exemplarily
                 before
                 you
                 .
                 Let
                 Religion
                 live
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 be
                 dead
                 ;
                 and
                 convince
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 Gods
                 influence
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 your
                 Husbands
                 only
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 Spring
                 and
                 Principle
                 of
                 this
                 holy
                 Course
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 Strive
                 not
                 with
                 your
                 Maker
                 ,
                 nor
                 fret
                 against
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 under
                 this
                 irksome
                 and
                 painful
                 Dispensation
                 .
                 Remember
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 Woe
                 hanging
                 over
                 this
                 sin
                 :
                 Isai.
                 45.9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Woe
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   striveth
                   with
                   his
                   Maker
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 
                 a
                 twofold
                 striving
                 of
                 men
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 one
                 lawful
                 and
                 commendable
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 strive
                 with
                 him
                 upon
                 the
                 knee
                 of
                 importunity
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 thus
                 Iacob
                 wrestled
                 with
                 God
                 and
                 prevailed
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 12.4
                 .
                 the
                 other
                 is
                 highly
                 sinful
                 and
                 dangerous
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 presume
                 to
                 censure
                 or
                 accuse
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 works
                 as
                 defective
                 in
                 wisdom
                 or
                 goodness
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 reproveth
                 God
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 answer
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   (
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 )
                 at
                 his
                 peril
                 be
                 it
                 .
                 This
                 sinful
                 striving
                 with
                 God
                 is
                 twofold
                 ,
                 either
                 Vocal
                 or
                 Mental
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Vocal
                 ,
                 when
                 men
                 in
                 bold
                 blasphemous
                 language
                 ,
                 arraign
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Power
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 or
                 Faithfulness
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 at
                 the
                 bar
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Reason
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 condemn
                 them
                 ,
                 setting
                 their
                 mouths
                 against
                 the
                 Heavens
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 73.8
                 ,
                 9.
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 sin
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 yea
                 of
                 the
                 first-born
                 sons
                 of
                 wickedness
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Mental
                 ,
                 in
                 inward
                 frets
                 ,
                 murmurs
                 ,
                 repinings
                 against
                 God
                 ;
                 Prov.
                 19.3
                 .
                 
                   The
                   foolishness
                   of
                   man
                   perverts
                   his
                   way
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   heart
                   fretteth
                   
                   against
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 The
                 heart
                 may
                 cry
                 out
                 impatiently
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 tongue
                 is
                 silent
                 :
                 And
                 if
                 the
                 frets
                 and
                 murmurs
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 be
                 (
                 as
                 indeed
                 they
                 are
                 )
                 interpretatively
                 no
                 better
                 than
                 a
                 striving
                 with
                 our
                 Maker
                 ,
                 then
                 this
                 sin
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 more
                 common
                 among
                 good
                 men
                 in
                 the
                 Paroxisms
                 of
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 than
                 we
                 imagine
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 be
                 necessary
                 therefore
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 sake
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sakes
                 of
                 many
                 more
                 in
                 a
                 like
                 state
                 of
                 Affliction
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 stay
                 a
                 while
                 upon
                 this
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 consider
                 these
                 following
                 Queries
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Query
                   1.
                   
                   How
                   far
                   we
                   may
                   enquire
                   ,
                   expostulate
                   ,
                   and
                   complain
                   in
                   times
                   of
                   Affliction
                   ,
                   without
                   sin
                   ?
                
                 
                   Query
                   2.
                   
                   Wherein
                   lies
                   the
                   sinfulness
                   and
                   danger
                   of
                   exceeding
                   these
                   bounds
                   ?
                
                 
                   Query
                   3.
                   
                   What
                   Considerations
                   are
                   most
                   proper
                   and
                   powerful
                   to
                   restrain
                   the
                   afflicted
                   soul
                   from
                   this
                   sinful
                   excess
                   ?
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   Query
                   1.
                   
                   How
                   far
                   we
                   may
                   enquire
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   expostulate
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   complain
                   to
                   him
                   in
                   time
                   of
                   Affliction
                   ,
                   without
                   sin
                   ?
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   We
                   may
                   humbly
                   enquire
                   into
                   the
                   causes
                   and
                   reasons
                   of
                   Gods
                   displeasure
                   against
                   us
                   ,
                   not
                   to
                   seek
                   matter
                   for
                   our
                   Iustification
                   ,
                   but
                   Direction
                   in
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   our
                   Humiliation
                   .
                   So
                   David
                   enquired
                   about
                   the
                   three
                   years
                   Famine
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Lord
                   inform'd
                   him
                   for
                   whose
                   sake
                   and
                   for
                   what
                   sin
                   it
                   was
                   ,
                   2
                   Sam.
                   21.1
                   .
                   And
                   thus
                   Iob
                   addressed
                   to
                   him
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   his
                   Affliction
                   ,
                   Iob
                   10.2
                   .
                   
                     Shew
                     me
                     wherefore
                     thou
                     contendest
                     with
                     me
                     ;
                     (
                     i.
                     e.
                     )
                  
                   convince
                   me
                   what
                   special
                   sin
                   it
                   is
                   for
                   which
                   I
                   am
                   thus
                   afflicted
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   so
                   far
                   from
                   being
                   our
                   sin
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   both
                   our
                   duty
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   excellency
                   of
                   our
                   Spirits
                   ;
                   't
                   is
                   a
                   Child-like
                   temper
                   ,
                   willing
                   
                   to
                   know
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   be
                   particularly
                   humbled
                   for
                   that
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   ever
                   the
                   more
                   careful
                   to
                   shun
                   it
                   .
                   
                     That
                     which
                     I
                     see
                     not
                     ,
                     teach
                     thou
                     me
                     ;
                     if
                     I
                     have
                     done
                     iniquity
                     ,
                     I
                     will
                     do
                     no
                     more
                     ,
                  
                   Job
                   34.32
                   .
                   Thus
                   far
                   we
                   are
                   safe
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   We
                   may
                   plead
                   by
                   Prayer
                   ,
                   and
                   put
                   him
                   in
                   mind
                   of
                   his
                   Mercies
                   ,
                   Relations
                   ,
                   and
                   Promises
                   ,
                   in
                   order
                   to
                   the
                   change
                   of
                   his
                   providential
                   Dispensations
                   towards
                   us
                   :
                   we
                   may
                   say
                   to
                   him
                   under
                   the
                   smartest
                   Rod
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   Church
                   did
                   ,
                   
                     Doubtless
                     thou
                     art
                     our
                     Father
                  
                   ,
                   Psal.
                   74.20
                   .
                   Have
                   respect
                   to
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   or
                   as
                   Iacob
                   ,
                   Gen.
                   32.9.12
                   .
                   
                     Thou
                     saidst
                     ,
                     I
                     will
                     surely
                     do
                     thee
                     good
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   We
                   may
                   complain
                   to
                   God
                   under
                   our
                   sufferings
                   ,
                   and
                   spread
                   them
                   before
                   him
                   in
                   all
                   their
                   circumstances
                   and
                   aggravations
                   ,
                   as
                   
                     Iob
                     ,
                     He●an
                     ,
                     Asaph
                     ,
                     Hezekiah
                     ,
                  
                   and
                   David
                   did
                   .
                   He
                   allows
                   his
                   Children
                   to
                   complain
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   of
                   him
                   .
                   
                     I
                     poured
                     out
                     my
                     complaint
                     before
                     him
                     ,
                     I
                     shewed
                     before
                     him
                     my
                     trouble
                     ,
                  
                   Psal.
                   142.2
                   .
                   To
                   whom
                   
                   should
                   a
                   Child
                   make
                   his
                   complaint
                   ,
                   but
                   to
                   his
                   Father
                   ?
                   So
                   far
                   we
                   are
                   safe
                   .
                
                 
                   4.
                   
                   We
                   may
                   submissively
                   pray
                   for
                   the
                   removal
                   of
                   his
                   hand
                   from
                   us
                   ,
                   and
                   entreat
                   that
                   his
                   anger
                   may
                   cease
                   ;
                   that
                   he
                   will
                   turn
                   again
                   and
                   heal
                   us
                   and
                   our
                   Families
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   draw
                   forth
                   his
                   anger
                   for
                   ever
                   .
                   So
                   did
                   David
                   ,
                   Psal.
                   39.10
                   .
                   
                     Remove
                     thy
                     stroke
                     away
                     from
                     me
                     ,
                     I
                     am
                     consumed
                     by
                     the
                     blow
                     of
                     thine
                     hand
                     .
                     Q.
                     d.
                  
                   Ah
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   able
                   to
                   endure
                   another
                   stroak
                   .
                   All
                   this
                   while
                   we
                   are
                   safe
                   ,
                   within
                   the
                   bounds
                   of
                   our
                   Duty
                   .
                   But
                   then
                   ,
                
              
               
                 
                   Query
                   2.
                   
                   Wherein
                   lies
                   our
                   sin
                   and
                   danger
                   ,
                   in
                   exceeding
                   these
                   bounds
                   ?
                   I
                   answer
                   ,
                
                 
                   Sol.
                   When
                   forgetting
                   God's
                   Soveraignty
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   desert
                   of
                   our
                   Iniquities
                   ,
                   we
                   arrogantly
                   censure
                   his
                   effecting
                   ,
                   or
                   permitting
                   Providences
                   ,
                   as
                   if
                   they
                   had
                   no
                   conducency
                   
                   to
                   his
                   own
                   glory
                   ,
                   or
                   our
                   good
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   both
                   sinful
                   and
                   dangerous
                   :
                   for
                   ,
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   proud
                   exalting
                   of
                   our
                   own
                   Reason
                   and
                   Understanding
                   ,
                   above
                   the
                   infinite
                   Wisdom
                   of
                   God.
                   God
                   hath
                   made
                   our
                   Reason
                   a
                   Judge
                   and
                   Arbitor
                   in
                   matters
                   within
                   its
                   own
                   Sphere
                   and
                   Province
                   ;
                   but
                   when
                   it
                   comes
                   to
                   summon
                   God
                   to
                   its
                   Bar
                   ,
                   and
                   article
                   against
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   an
                   insufferable
                   arrogancy
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   do
                   it
                   at
                   our
                   own
                   peril
                   .
                   God
                   will
                   have
                   all
                   men
                   know
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   an
                   unaccountable
                   being
                   ,
                   Iob
                   33.13
                   .
                   yea
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   have
                   us
                   to
                   know
                   ,
                   that
                   
                     the
                     foolishness
                     of
                     God
                     is
                     wiser
                     than
                     men
                     ,
                  
                   1
                   Cor.
                   1.25
                   .
                   that
                   is
                   ,
                   that
                   those
                   very
                   works
                   of
                   God
                   which
                   mans
                   proud
                   Reason
                   adventures
                   to
                   censure
                   ,
                   as
                   not
                   so
                   wise
                   a
                   method
                   as
                   their
                   own
                   would
                   be
                   ,
                   hath
                   more
                   wisdom
                   in
                   it
                   ,
                   than
                   all
                   the
                   deep-laid
                   designes
                   of
                   the
                   greatest
                   Polititians
                   in
                   the
                   World.
                   And
                   it
                   is
                   strange
                   that
                   men
                   should
                   dare
                   to
                   attempt
                   such
                   a
                   wickedness
                   as
                   this
                   ,
                   after
                   God
                   hath
                   so
                   severely
                   punished
                   
                   it
                   in
                   the
                   fallen
                   Angels
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   It
                   is
                   no
                   less
                   than
                   a
                   spurning
                   at
                   the
                   Soveraignty
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   from
                   whose
                   pleasure
                   we
                   derive
                   our
                   Beings
                   and
                   all
                   our
                   Mercies
                   ,
                   Rev.
                   4.11
                   .
                   In
                   these
                   quarrellings
                   of
                   Providence
                   ,
                   and
                   frets
                   at
                   divine
                   appointments
                   ,
                   we
                   invade
                   his
                   Throne
                   ,
                   and
                   controul
                   his
                   soveraign
                   Pleasure
                   .
                   How
                   monstrous
                   were
                   it
                   to
                   hear
                   a
                   Child
                   quarrelling
                   with
                   his
                   Father
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   not
                   so
                   and
                   so
                   figured
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   Clay
                   to
                   chide
                   the
                   Potter
                   for
                   moulding
                   it
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   ?
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   'T
                   is
                   destructive
                   to
                   our
                   own
                   inward
                   peace
                   and
                   tranquility
                   of
                   mind
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   part
                   of
                   the
                   punishment
                   of
                   this
                   sin
                   ;
                   and
                   a
                   smart
                   stripe
                   ,
                   a
                   sore
                   rebuke
                   it
                   is
                   from
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   God
                   upon
                   us
                   .
                
                 
                   Contention
                   is
                   uncomfortable
                   ,
                   though
                   but
                   with
                   a
                   Neighbour
                   ,
                   worse
                   with
                   a
                   near
                   Relation
                   ;
                   but
                   a
                   quarrel
                   with
                   God
                   is
                   destructive
                   to
                   all
                   comfort
                   in
                   the
                   World.
                   Afflictions
                   may
                   disturb
                   a
                   good
                   mans
                   peace
                   ,
                   but
                   a
                   mutinous
                   Spirit
                   against
                   God
                   ,
                   destroys
                   and
                   stabs
                   it
                   at
                   the
                   
                   very
                   heart
                   .
                   What
                   is
                   the
                   sin
                   and
                   torment
                   of
                   the
                   Devils
                   ,
                   but
                   their
                   rage
                   against
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   swelling
                   against
                   the
                   methods
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                   ?
                   
                     He
                     seeketh
                     rest
                     ,
                     but
                     findeth
                     none
                     ,
                  
                   Mat.
                   12.33
                   .
                   The
                   peace
                   of
                   our
                   Spirits
                   is
                   a
                   choice
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   and
                   might
                   be
                   maintain'd
                   amidst
                   all
                   our
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   were
                   but
                   our
                   interest
                   in
                   his
                   Promises
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   true
                   level
                   of
                   his
                   Providences
                   cleared
                   to
                   us
                   .
                
                 
                   4.
                   
                   'T
                   is
                   irrational
                   ,
                   and
                   highly
                   unjust
                   ,
                   to
                   give
                   the
                   cause
                   ,
                   and
                   quarrel
                   at
                   the
                   effects
                   .
                   God
                   hath
                   righteously
                   and
                   inseparably
                   linked
                   penal
                   with
                   moral
                   evils
                   ;
                   sin
                   and
                   sorrow
                   by
                   the
                   Laws
                   of
                   Heaven
                   are
                   tackt
                   and
                   united
                   together
                   ;
                   he
                   that
                   doth
                   evil
                   ,
                   shall
                   feel
                   evil
                   ,
                   Gen.
                   4.7
                   .
                   We
                   adventure
                   upon
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   fret
                   at
                   Affliction
                   :
                   Prov.
                   19.3
                   .
                   
                     The
                     foolishness
                     of
                     a
                     man
                     perverts
                     his
                     way
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     heart
                     fretteth
                     against
                     the
                     Lord.
                  
                   Is
                   this
                   becoming
                   a
                   reasonable
                   Creature
                   ?
                   Doth
                   not
                   every
                   man
                   reap
                   as
                   he
                   soweth
                   ?
                   Can
                   the
                   seed
                   of
                   sin
                   bring
                   forth
                   a
                   crop
                   of
                   peace
                   and
                   comfort
                   ?
                   
                   
                     Why
                     doth
                     the
                     living
                     man
                     complain
                     ,
                     a
                     man
                     for
                     the
                     punishment
                     of
                     his
                     sins
                     ,
                  
                   Lam.
                   3.39
                   .
                   Search
                   your
                   hearts
                   ,
                   and
                   search
                   your
                   houses
                   ,
                   and
                   you
                   will
                   quickly
                   find
                   that
                   all
                   your
                   Afflictions
                   in
                   this
                   World
                   ,
                   were
                   they
                   ten
                   thousand
                   times
                   more
                   and
                   heavier
                   than
                   they
                   are
                   ,
                   do
                   not
                   come
                   near
                   to
                   the
                   desert
                   of
                   one
                   sin
                   .
                   All
                   sorrows
                   ,
                   losses
                   ,
                   afflictions
                   on
                   this
                   side
                   Hell
                   are
                   quite
                   below
                   the
                   value
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   the
                   meritorious
                   and
                   provoking
                   cause
                   of
                   them
                   all
                   .
                
                 
                   5.
                   
                   'T
                   is
                   foolish
                   and
                   vain
                   ,
                   to
                   strive
                   against
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   contest
                   perversely
                   with
                   him
                   .
                   Can
                   our
                   discontents
                   relieve
                   us
                   ?
                   or
                   our
                   murmurs
                   ease
                   us
                   ?
                   Will
                   they
                   turn
                   God
                   out
                   of
                   his
                   way
                   ?
                   No
                   ,
                   no
                   ;
                   
                     He
                     is
                     in
                     one
                     mind
                     ,
                     and
                     who
                     can
                     turn
                     him
                     aside
                     ?
                  
                   Job
                   23.13
                   .
                   The
                   Wheels
                   of
                   Providence
                   go
                   straight
                   forward
                   ,
                   and
                   turn
                   not
                   when
                   they
                   go
                   ,
                   Ezek.
                   1.17
                   .
                   We
                   may
                   bring
                   them
                   over
                   us
                   to
                   crush
                   us
                   ,
                   by
                   standing
                   thus
                   in
                   their
                   way
                   ,
                   but
                   cannot
                   turn
                   them
                   out
                   of
                   their
                   way
                   .
                   
                     
                     
                       Impatiens
                       oegrotus
                       ,
                       crudelem
                       facit
                       medicum
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     If
                     ye
                     still
                     walk
                     contrary
                     to
                     me
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     then
                     will
                     I
                     walk
                     contrary
                     to
                     you
                     ,
                     and
                     punish
                     you
                     yet
                     seven
                     times
                     for
                     your
                     sins
                     ,
                  
                   Lev.
                   26.13
                   ,
                   14.
                   or
                   I
                   will
                   walk
                   in
                   the
                   rashness
                   of
                   mine
                   anger
                   ,
                   smiting
                   you
                   without
                   moderation
                   ,
                   as
                   men
                   do
                   in
                   the
                   height
                   of
                   their
                   rage
                   and
                   fury
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   all
                   we
                   shall
                   get
                   by
                   fretting
                   against
                   God.
                   Never
                   expect
                   relief
                   under
                   ,
                   or
                   release
                   from
                   the
                   Yoak
                   God
                   hath
                   laid
                   on
                   your
                   necks
                   ,
                   till
                   you
                   be
                   brought
                   to
                   accept
                   the
                   punishment
                   of
                   your
                   iniquities
                   ,
                   Lev.
                   26.41
                   .
                
                 
                   6.
                   
                   'T
                   is
                   a
                   sin
                   full
                   of
                   
                     odious
                     ingratitude
                  
                   towards
                   your
                   God
                   :
                   Which
                   appears
                   (
                   1
                   )
                   in
                   murmuring
                   because
                   it
                   is
                   so
                   bad
                   ,
                   when
                   we
                   should
                   be
                   admiring
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   no
                   worse
                   .
                   Are
                   there
                   not
                   millions
                   in
                   Hell
                   that
                   never
                   sinned
                   at
                   higher
                   rates
                   than
                   you
                   have
                   done
                   ?
                   Is
                   this
                   Affliction
                   as
                   bad
                   as
                   Hell
                   ?
                   Hath
                   God
                   pardoned
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   saved
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   doth
                   he
                   deserve
                   
                   to
                   be
                   thus
                   requited
                   by
                   you
                   !
                   (
                   2
                   )
                   In
                   murmuring
                   that
                   our
                   condition
                   is
                   so
                   bad
                   ,
                   when
                   we
                   may
                   every
                   day
                   see
                   others
                   in
                   a
                   far
                   worse
                   case
                   who
                   are
                   equal
                   with
                   us
                   by
                   nature
                   ,
                   and
                   were
                   equal
                   with
                   them
                   in
                   guilt
                   and
                   provocation
                   .
                   If
                   we
                   speak
                   of
                   outward
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   certainly
                   others
                   would
                   be
                   glad
                   to
                   exchange
                   conditions
                   with
                   us
                   ,
                   and
                   account
                   themselves
                   happy
                   in
                   our
                   circumstances
                   .
                   Consider
                   the
                   description
                   given
                   of
                   those
                   persons
                   ,
                   Iob
                   30.3
                   ,
                   4
                   ,
                   5.
                   and
                   how
                   little
                   they
                   differ
                   in
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   life
                   from
                   bruit
                   Beasts
                   :
                   and
                   if
                   we
                   speak
                   of
                   inward
                   troubles
                   ,
                   compare
                   your
                   own
                   with
                   those
                   of
                   Heman
                   ,
                   and
                   Asaph
                   ,
                   in
                   Psal.
                   77.
                   and
                   Psal.
                   88.
                   and
                   if
                   of
                   both
                   together
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   in
                   an
                   intense
                   degree
                   ,
                   consider
                   Iob
                   6.4
                   .
                   and
                   you
                   will
                   soon
                   find
                   your
                   condition
                   full
                   of
                   sparing
                   Mercy
                   :
                   these
                   excellent
                   persons
                   that
                   were
                   so
                   much
                   above
                   you
                   in
                   Grace
                   ,
                   were
                   yet
                   plunged
                   so
                   much
                   deeper
                   than
                   you
                   into
                   Affliction
                   .
                   And
                   is
                   it
                   not
                   then
                   vile
                   ingratitude
                   in
                   you
                   ,
                   thus
                   to
                   mutiny
                   and
                   
                   
                     charge
                     your
                     God
                     foolishly
                  
                   ?
                   (
                   3
                   )
                   But
                   especially
                   here
                   lies
                   our
                   ingratitude
                   ,
                   in
                   quarrelling
                   and
                   censuring
                   those
                   Providences
                   ,
                   whose
                   very
                   end
                   and
                   errand
                   is
                   our
                   eternal
                   good
                   ;
                   Heb.
                   12.10
                   .
                   
                     But
                     be
                     for
                     our
                     profit
                     ,
                     that
                     we
                     might
                     be
                     partakers
                     of
                     his
                     holiness
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   7.
                   
                   'T
                   is
                   a
                   sin
                   that
                   deprives
                   us
                   of
                   the
                   fruits
                   and
                   benefits
                   of
                   our
                   Afflictions
                   :
                   a
                   tumultuous
                   raging
                   Spirit
                   reaps
                   no
                   good
                   by
                   the
                   Rod.
                   The
                   fruits
                   of
                   Affliction
                   are
                   called
                   the
                   
                     peaceable
                     fruits
                  
                   ,
                   Heb.
                   12.11
                   .
                   because
                   they
                   are
                   always
                   gathered
                   and
                   reaped
                   down
                   by
                   the
                   afflicted
                   soul
                   in
                   a
                   quiet
                   and
                   peaceful
                   temper
                   .
                   
                     Anima
                     sedendo
                     ,
                     &
                     quiescendo
                     fit
                     sapiens
                     :
                  
                   Blossoms
                   and
                   Flowers
                   open
                   not
                   in
                   the
                   boysterous
                   storms
                   of
                   Winter
                   ,
                   but
                   in
                   the
                   mild
                   and
                   gentle
                   Spring
                   .
                
                 
                   Well
                   then
                   ,
                   be
                   convinced
                   of
                   the
                   sin
                   and
                   danger
                   of
                   a
                   discontented
                   Spirit
                   under
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   instead
                   of
                   mourning
                   over
                   lost
                   Relations
                   ,
                   now
                   mourn
                   for
                   the
                   loss
                   of
                   Patience
                   ,
                   the
                   want
                   of
                   Submission
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   the
                   pride
                   and
                   arrogancy
                   
                   of
                   your
                   own
                   Reason
                   ,
                   that
                   presumes
                   to
                   correct
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   the
                   Almighty
                   ,
                   and
                   say
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                   as
                   Ioseph
                   did
                   to
                   his
                   Father
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   wittingly
                   crossed
                   his
                   hands
                   in
                   blessing
                   Ephraim
                   and
                   
                     Manassah
                     ,
                     Not
                     so
                     ,
                     my
                     Father
                     ?
                  
                   This
                   is
                   not
                   fit
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Query
                   3.
                   
                
                 
                   But
                   how
                   may
                   these
                   Evils
                   be
                   prevented
                   or
                   cured
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   tempestuous
                   soul
                   calmed
                   under
                   the
                   the
                   Rod
                   ?
                   How
                   shall
                   all
                   strifes
                   betwixt
                   God
                   and
                   his
                   People
                   be
                   ended
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   soul
                   made
                   quiet
                   at
                   his
                   feet
                   ?
                
                 
                   Reply
                   ,
                   This
                   blessed
                   frame
                   of
                   Spirit
                   may
                   in
                   a
                   great
                   degree
                   and
                   measure
                   be
                   attained
                   in
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   the
                   following
                   Directions
                   .
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                   ●n
                   their
                   use
                   and
                   application
                   ,
                   not
                   by
                   the
                   prescription
                   or
                   simple
                   knowledge
                   of
                   them
                   .
                   And
                   ,
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Rule
                     1.
                     
                  
                   
                     The
                     first
                     Rule
                     or
                     Direction
                     ,
                     is
                     this
                     :
                     
                       Study
                       well
                       the
                       glorious
                       soveraignty
                       of
                       God
                       over
                       you
                       ,
                       and
                       aw
                       your
                       hearts
                       with
                       the
                       consideration
                       of
                       it
                       .
                    
                     From
                     his
                     meer
                     pleasure
                     you
                     and
                     all
                     that
                     is
                     yours
                     proceeded
                     ,
                     on
                     his
                     pleasure
                     you
                     depend
                     ,
                     and
                     into
                     that
                     good
                     pleasure
                     of
                     his
                     will
                     your
                     wills
                     therefore
                     ought
                     to
                     be
                     resolved
                     :
                     
                       Whatever
                       the
                       Lord
                       pleased
                       that
                       he
                       did
                       ,
                       in
                       heaven
                       and
                       in
                       earth
                       ,
                       in
                       the
                       sea
                       and
                       in
                       all
                       deep
                       places
                       ,
                    
                     Psal.
                     135.6
                     .
                     Man
                     and
                     man
                     stand
                     on
                     equal
                     ground
                     ,
                     and
                     if
                     our
                     Reason
                     be
                     not
                     satisfied
                     about
                     the
                     equity
                     of
                     mens
                     dealings
                     with
                     us
                     ,
                     we
                     may
                     ask
                     who
                     did
                     it
                     ,
                     and
                     demand
                     the
                     reasons
                     why
                     he
                     did
                     it
                     ;
                     but
                     when
                     we
                     have
                     to
                     do
                     with
                     God
                     ,
                     we
                     mus●
                     not
                     dispute
                     his
                     pleasure
                     .
                     Let
                     the
                     Potsherd
                     strive
                     with
                     the
                     Potsherd
                     of
                     the
                     Earth
                     ,
                     but
                     let
                     not
                     the
                     Clay
                     dispute
                     with
                     the
                     Potter
                     .
                     Now
                     the
                     Soveraignty
                     of
                     God
                     is
                     gloriously
                     display'd
                     in
                     his
                     
                       Decrees
                       ,
                       Laws
                    
                     
                     and
                     Providences
                     .
                     (
                     1.
                     )
                     In
                     his
                     Decrees
                     ,
                     appointing
                     the
                     Creatures
                     to
                     their
                     ends
                     ,
                     whether
                     to
                     be
                     Vessels
                     of
                     Mercy
                     ,
                     or
                     of
                     Wrath
                     ,
                     Rom.
                     9.18
                     ,
                     19
                     ,
                     20.
                     
                     In
                     this
                     case
                     there
                     must
                     be
                     no
                     disputing
                     with
                     God.
                     (
                     2.
                     )
                     In
                     his
                     Laws
                     ,
                     appointing
                     the
                     work
                     and
                     duty
                     of
                     the
                     Creature
                     ,
                     as
                     also
                     the
                     Rewards
                     and
                     Punishments
                     ;
                     Jam.
                     4.12
                     .
                     
                       There
                       is
                       one
                       Law-giver
                       ,
                       that
                       is
                       able
                       to
                       save
                       and
                       to
                       destroy
                       .
                    
                     In
                     this
                     case
                     his
                     Soveraignty
                     immediately
                     and
                     indispensably
                     binds
                     the
                     Conscience
                     of
                     man
                     ,
                     and
                     no
                     humane
                     Authority
                     can
                     dissolve
                     that
                     Obligation
                     :
                     Nor
                     must
                     we
                     snuff
                     at
                     the
                     severest
                     command
                     .
                     (
                     3.
                     )
                     The
                     glorious
                     Soveraignty
                     of
                     God
                     is
                     display'd
                     in
                     his
                     providential
                     administrations
                     ,
                     appointing
                     every
                     man
                     to
                     that
                     station
                     and
                     condition
                     he
                     is
                     in
                     in
                     this
                     world
                     ;
                     whether
                     it
                     be
                     high
                     or
                     low
                     ,
                     prosperous
                     or
                     afflicted
                     .
                     Psal.
                     75.6
                     .
                     
                       I
                       said
                       to
                       the
                       fools
                       ,
                       Deal
                       not
                       foolishly
                       ,
                    
                     &c.
                     
                       for
                       promotion
                       cometh
                       not
                       from
                       the
                       east
                       ,
                       or
                       the
                       west
                       ;
                       but
                       God
                       is
                       Iudge
                       :
                       he
                       putteth
                       down
                       one
                       ,
                       and
                       setteth
                       up
                       another
                       .
                    
                     Let
                     not
                     them
                     that
                     are
                     at
                     the
                     top
                     of
                     the
                     
                     world
                     ,
                     be
                     lifted
                     up
                     ;
                     nor
                     those
                     that
                     are
                     at
                     the
                     bottom
                     ,
                     be
                     dejected
                     :
                     for
                     God
                     cast
                     every
                     mans
                     lot
                     ,
                     and
                     changeth
                     their
                     condition
                     at
                     his
                     pleasure
                     ;
                     a
                     word
                     of
                     his
                     mouth
                     plucks
                     down
                     the
                     lofty
                     ,
                     and
                     exalts
                     the
                     lowly
                     ;
                     he
                     woundeth
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     hands
                     make
                     whole
                     .
                     Hence
                     it
                     becomes
                     the
                     afflicted
                     to
                     be
                     still
                     ,
                     and
                     know
                     that
                     he
                     is
                     God
                     ,
                     Psal.
                     46.10
                     .
                     to
                     put
                     his
                     mouth
                     in
                     the
                     dust
                     ,
                     and
                     quietly
                     to
                     wait
                     for
                     his
                     salvation
                     .
                     All
                     our
                     fretting
                     and
                     struggling
                     cannot
                     shake
                     off
                     the
                     Yoak
                     which
                     he
                     hath
                     put
                     upon
                     us
                     ,
                     but
                     a
                     weak
                     and
                     quiet
                     submission
                     to
                     his
                     will
                     ,
                     and
                     compliance
                     with
                     his
                     designs
                     ,
                     is
                     the
                     best
                     expedient
                     to
                     procure
                     our
                     freedom
                     .
                     There
                     is
                     not
                     one
                     circumstance
                     of
                     trouble
                     befals
                     you
                     ,
                     without
                     his
                     order
                     ;
                     nor
                     can
                     you
                     expect
                     deliverance
                     ,
                     but
                     by
                     order
                     from
                     him
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                   
                     Rule
                     2.
                     
                  
                   
                     
                       Study
                       the
                       transcendant
                       evil
                       of
                       sin
                       ,
                       and
                       what
                       the
                       demerit
                       of
                       the
                       least
                       sin
                       that
                       ever
                       you
                       committed
                       is
                       .
                    
                     This
                     will
                     becalm
                     your
                     tempestuous
                     Spirits
                     ,
                     and
                     at
                     once
                     work
                     them
                     into
                     Contentation
                     with
                     your
                     present
                     state
                     ,
                     and
                     Admiration
                     that
                     it
                     is
                     no
                     worse
                     ,
                     Lam.
                     3.22.39
                     ,
                     40.
                     
                  
                   
                     Consider
                     ,
                     thou
                     querulous
                     and
                     discontented
                     Soul
                     ,
                     that
                     the
                     wages
                     of
                     sin
                     is
                     death
                     ,
                     Rom.
                     6.
                     ult
                     .
                     that
                     tribulation
                     ,
                     anguish
                     ,
                     and
                     wrath
                     ,
                     are
                     due
                     by
                     Law
                     ,
                     to
                     every
                     soul
                     of
                     man
                     that
                     doth
                     evil
                     ;
                     that
                     so
                     often
                     as
                     we
                     have
                     sinned
                     ,
                     so
                     often
                     have
                     we
                     deserved
                     Hell
                     :
                     and
                     shall
                     we
                     then
                     charge
                     God
                     with
                     severity
                     ,
                     for
                     scourging
                     us
                     with
                     the
                     Rods
                     of
                     gentle
                     fatherly
                     chastizements
                     ?
                     Is
                     this
                     Hell
                     ?
                     Dare
                     you
                     say
                     the
                     severest
                     affliction
                     that
                     ever
                     was
                     upon
                     you
                     ,
                     is
                     above
                     the
                     demerit
                     of
                     your
                     sin
                     ?
                  
                   
                     'T
                     is
                     true
                     indeed
                     ,
                     the
                     Lord
                     tells
                     Ierusalem
                     ,
                     that
                     she
                     had
                     
                       received
                       of
                       
                       his
                       hands
                       double
                       for
                       all
                       her
                       sins
                       ,
                    
                     Isai.
                     40.2
                     .
                     But
                     that
                     is
                     not
                     the
                     language
                     of
                     strict
                     Justice
                     ,
                     but
                     of
                     Compassions
                     rolled
                     together
                     .
                     There
                     is
                     not
                     a
                     gracious
                     soul
                     in
                     all
                     the
                     world
                     ,
                     but
                     will
                     readily
                     subscribe
                     
                     Ezra's
                     Confession
                     ,
                     that
                     God
                     hath
                     afflicted
                     it
                     less
                     than
                     its
                     iniquities
                     deserve
                     ,
                     Ezra
                     9.13
                     .
                     Oh
                     if
                     once
                     we
                     measure
                     our
                     afflictions
                     by
                     our
                     sins
                     ,
                     we
                     shall
                     admire
                     they
                     are
                     so
                     few
                     ,
                     so
                     mild
                     and
                     gentle
                     ,
                     as
                     they
                     are
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   
                     Rule
                     3.
                     
                  
                   
                     
                       Consider
                       what
                       a
                       difference
                       there
                       is
                       betwixt
                       the
                       Saints
                       meeting
                       with
                       afflictions
                       ,
                       and
                       their
                       parting
                       with
                       them
                       .
                    
                     You
                     meet
                     them
                     with
                     trembling
                     and
                     astonishment
                     ,
                     but
                     you
                     shall
                     part
                     with
                     them
                     with
                     praise
                     and
                     thanksgiving
                     ,
                     blessing
                     God
                     for
                     the
                     manifold
                     blessings
                     they
                     have
                     instrumentally
                     conveyed
                     to
                     your
                     souls
                     .
                     It
                     is
                     good
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     saith
                     David
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     have
                     been
                     afflicted
                     .
                     By
                     these
                     things
                     sin
                     is
                     prevented
                     ,
                     
                     discovered
                     ,
                     and
                     mortified
                     ,
                     the
                     ensnaring
                     World
                     imbittered
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Rest
                     to
                     come
                     sweetned
                     .
                  
                   
                     Many
                     other
                     excellent
                     Rules
                     may
                     be
                     added
                     ;
                     try
                     these
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     blessing
                     of
                     the
                     Spirit
                     accompany
                     them
                     .
                  
                   
                     To
                     conclude
                     ,
                     be
                     not
                     swallowed
                     up
                     of
                     sorrows
                     for
                     what
                     you
                     have
                     lost
                     ,
                     but
                     balance
                     all
                     the
                     troubles
                     of
                     this
                     life
                     ,
                     with
                     the
                     hopes
                     of
                     the
                     next
                     .
                     Your
                     dear
                     Children
                     are
                     gone
                     ,
                     your
                     sweet
                     Husband
                     is
                     gone
                     ;
                     but
                     consider
                     who
                     took
                     them
                     ,
                     and
                     whither
                     .
                     It
                     is
                     said
                     of
                     Enoch
                     ,
                     Gen.
                     5.24
                     .
                     
                       He
                       walked
                       with
                       God
                       ,
                       and
                       was
                       not
                       ;
                       for
                       God
                       took
                       him
                       .
                    
                     Mr.
                     Upton
                     is
                     not
                     ,
                     and
                     yet
                     he
                     is
                     :
                     He
                     is
                     not
                     with
                     men
                     ,
                     he
                     is
                     with
                     God
                     :
                     He
                     ceases
                     not
                     to
                     be
                     ,
                     though
                     he
                     cease
                     to
                     breathe
                     :
                     He
                     is
                     taken
                     away
                     ,
                     but
                     God
                     took
                     him
                     :
                     He
                     is
                     better
                     where
                     he
                     is
                     ,
                     than
                     where
                     he
                     was
                     :
                     Though
                     he
                     be
                     not
                     in
                     your
                     Bosom
                     ,
                     he
                     is
                     in
                     Christ's
                     .
                  
                   
                     Imitate
                     his
                     Zeal
                     ,
                     Plain-heartedness
                     ,
                     diligence
                     in
                     Duties
                     ,
                     and
                     you
                     shall
                     shortly
                     meet
                     him
                     again
                     ,
                     and
                     
                     never
                     part
                     any
                     more
                     .
                     
                       For
                       this
                       we
                       say
                       by
                       the
                       word
                       of
                       the
                       Lord
                       ,
                       that
                       we
                       which
                       are
                       alive
                       ,
                       and
                       remain
                       to
                       the
                       coming
                       of
                       the
                       Lord
                       ,
                       shall
                       not
                       prevent
                       them
                       which
                       are
                       asleep
                       .
                    
                     
                     
                       For
                       the
                       Lord
                       himself
                       shall
                       descend
                       from
                       heaven
                       with
                       a
                       shout
                       ,
                       and
                       with
                       the
                       voice
                       of
                       the
                       archangel
                       ,
                       and
                       the
                       trump
                       of
                       God
                       :
                       and
                       the
                       dead
                       in
                       Christ
                       shall
                       rise
                       first
                       .
                       Then
                       we
                       which
                       are
                       alive
                       ,
                       and
                       remain
                       ,
                       shall
                       be
                       caught
                       up
                       together
                       with
                       them
                       in
                       the
                       clouds
                       ,
                       to
                       meet
                       the
                       Lord
                       in
                       the
                       air
                       :
                       and
                       so
                       shall
                       we
                       ever
                       be
                       with
                       the
                       Lord.
                       Wherefore
                       comfort
                       one
                       another
                       with
                       these
                       words
                       .
                    
                     Did
                     you
                     but
                     know
                     the
                     deep
                     Emphasis
                     of
                     these
                     words
                     ,
                     
                       ever
                       with
                       the
                       Lord
                    
                     ,
                     I
                     doubt
                     not
                     but
                     you
                     would
                     find
                     Comfort
                     enough
                     in
                     them
                     for
                     your self
                     ,
                     and
                     a
                     great
                     overplus
                     for
                     the
                     comforting
                     of
                     others
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A39658-e590
           
             w.
             2.
             
          
           
             v.
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             30.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             101.2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             
               Plus
               est
               quam
               haec
               domus
               mea
               ante
               deum
               .
            
             Jon.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             7.12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               ordinavit
               ,
               disposuit
               ,
               aptavit
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               custodivit
               ser●avit
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             Eccl.
             9.2
             .
          
           
             Virgil.
             
          
           
             Zech.
             12.10
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             119.92
             .
          
           
             Job
             6.2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             60.3
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             94.19
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             2.13
             .
          
           
             Isai.
             57.12
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             14.18
             
          
           
             Heb.
             6.17
             ▪
             18.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             56.4
             .
          
           
             1
             King.
             17.18
             .
          
           
             Job
             16.8
             .
          
           
             Isai.
             33.24
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             103.1.3
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.55
             .
          
           
             Ovid.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             31.33
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               It
               respects
               the
               propitiatory
               expiation
               of
               sin
               by
               Christ
               ,
               who
               is
               therefore
               called
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             2.2
             .
             &
             Rom.
             3.25
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             89.30
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             1.18
             .
          
           
             Isai.
             40.13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             32.40
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             119.71
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             94.19
             .
          
           
             Isai.
             27.9
             .
          
           
             Isai.
             27.8
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4
             6.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             33.15
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             89.33
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             31.34
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             10.28
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.10
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.9
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             6.1
             .
          
           
             1
             Thess.
             4.13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             26.19
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             4.16
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               ab
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               pro
               mittere
               qua
               si
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               in
               manibus
               .
            
          
           
             Psal.
             102.26
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             116.7
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             2.21
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             119.50
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             15.4
             .
          
           
             Job
             .
             33
             23.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             5.11
             .
          
           
             
               Filius
               mihi
               erat
               Adolescens
               ,
               solus
               vitae
               successor
               ,
               solatium
               senectae
               ,
               gloria
               generis
               ,
               flos
               aequalium
               ,
               sulcrum
               domus
               ,
               aetatem
               gratiosissiman
               agebat
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             III.
             
          
           
             IV.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A39658-e9420
           
             
               Ierom
               à
               lapide
               .
               Iustin
               Martyr
               .
            
          
           
             Doctr.
             
          
           
             1
             Reason
             .
          
           
             2
             Reason
             .
          
           
             3
             Reason
             .
          
           
             4
             Reason
             .
          
           
             5
             Reason
             .
          
           
             6
             Reason
             .
          
           
             1
             Use.
             
          
           
             2
             Use.
             
          
           
             3
             Use.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               temerè
               ambulabo
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Thess.
             4.15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.